What is a key factor in selecting hand hygiene products for healthcare settings?

A key factor in selecting hand hygiene products for healthcare settings involves understanding known product interactions and compatibility with gloves. In a healthcare environment, where the risk of infection transmission is high, it is crucial that hand hygiene products do not compromise the integrity of gloves, which are essential for protecting both healthcare workers and patients.

Certain hand sanitizers or soaps may contain ingredients that can deteriorate glove materials, leading to potential breaches in barrier protection during procedures. By choosing products that are proven to be compatible with the types of gloves being used, healthcare facilities can ensure that their infection control measures are effective and that both staff and patients are adequately protected.

While factors like cost effectiveness, fragrance, and peer reviews are relevant in different contexts, the primary concern in a clinical environment is ensuring that hand hygiene practices do not inadvertently increase the risk of infection due to product incompatibility.