To effectively interrupt the transmission of pathogens, correct hand disinfection is essential. 

For this reason, the Commission for Hospital Hygiene and Infection Prevention (KRINKO) recommends training on the indications for hand disinfection at least once a year in conjunction with training:

KRINKO recommendation: "To ensure compliance with hand hygiene, all employees must be trained at least once a year (and promptly when problems in this area are indicated) on the indications for hand disinfection in conjunction with training, e.g. with [...] dye in the HDM (Cat. IB)." ^{[1; p. 1209]}

Legal framework

Are recommendations mandatory?

The controversial answer: Although it "Recommendation“ means, some recommendations causing obligation, as stated in the KRINKO guidelines:

• This is the case because Section 1 Paragraph II of the IfSG requires action in accordance with current state of medical and epidemiological science and the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) was appointed as the scientific body pursuant to Section 4 II 1 of the IfSG. The states are responsible for enforcement pursuant to Section 54 of the IfSG.
  
  
• The RKI recommendations of the Category IA and IB are based on verified epidemiological findings – in contrast to the less binding categories II and III. ^{[1; p. 1189]}
  
  
• The recommendation for annual hand disinfection training of all employees is based on precisely these reliable clinical and epidemiological studies. Their effectiveness has been recognized by the KRINKO at the RKI – which leads to the classification mandatory category IB justified. ^{[1; pp. 1206, 1209]}

Conclusion → Failure to implement RKI recommendations is therefore a violation of the IfSG.

Practical implementation of the recommendation

How DesiCoach supports you^®

Following the recommendation to disinfect your hands doesn’t have to be a boring chore – with DesiCoach® it becomes an effective and even motivating workout.

For the first time, the three most important learning objectives Train hand disinfection intuitively and visibly – for more safety in everyday life and a better disinfection routine.

Learning objective 1 – The individual dosage amount

➝ DesiCoach® uses color intensity to show whether the appropriate dosage has been used for the individual hand size – and which technique can be used to transfer this amount to both hands without loss.

Learning Objective 2 – The seamless wetting

➝ The first part of the training involves the coloring. It takes about a minute to see if any gaps have appeared. This helps with learning a self-reliant rubbing technique.

➝ In the second part of the training, the discoloration makes every movement immediately visible. This allows you to observe the technique directly as it is applied and optimize it specifically.

Learning Objective 3 – The correct order

➝ After decolorizing, color residues clearly indicate where too little fluid has reached. This allows you to assess whether the sequence of steps needs to be adjusted to ensure that even difficult-to-disinfect areas such as fingertips or nail folds are adequately moistened with the fluid.

The DesiCoach® training method supports you simply and efficiently in implementing the RKI recommendation for practical training.

Sources:

[1] Federal Health Gazette No. 59; Hand hygiene in healthcare facilities - Recommendation of the KRINKO at the RKI; Springer-Verlag Berlin; Heidelberg; 2016
[https://www.rki.de/DE/Themen/Infekt...]