Dosage of hand disinfectant

The Dosage amount This is the volume of hand sanitizer (liquid, gel, foam) required for safe hand disinfection. It must be sufficient to disinfect all hand surfaces during the time specified by the manufacturer. Exposure time to completely wet and is in addition to the Rubbing-in technique the decisive factor for reliable germ reduction.

Recommended dosage

The optimal amount according to current recommendations and the individual anatomy of the hands:

• Recommendations: According to the S2k guideline at least [number] are required for hygienic hand disinfection. 3 ml recommended. KRINKO/RKI recommendations cite a range of 3 to 5 ml.
• Individual needs: The actual amount needed can vary depending on hand size. Larger hands tend to require more hand sanitizer to ensure all areas are thoroughly covered. [Fig. 2].

Relevance of correct dosage

Precise dosing protects both the patient (safety) and the user (skin health):

1. Underdosing: Using too small an amount leads to premature drying of the hands. The contact time specified by the manufacturer (usually 30 seconds) cannot be observed, resulting in insufficient germ reduction.
2. Overdose: Applying too much disinfectant leads to unnecessary consumption and dripping. Furthermore, a consistently excessive amount can increase lipid loss in the skin and compromise its natural barrier function.

Methods for determining the individual dosage amount

Measuring methods help to objectively determine the amount needed for one's own hand size. This allows you to determine the required amount in milliliters and develop a sense of how much disinfectant is right for everyday use.

DesiCoach® method

DesiCoach® is a visual training method for hand disinfection – based on a dye and a dye remover solution.

• The dye is dispensed into the palm of the hand. After rubbing, the hands become stained. The visible distribution shows whether the dispensed amount and the rubbing technique are sufficient to reach all areas of the hand [Fig. 3].
• The achieved color intensity can be visually compared with a color scale [Fig. 4].

Stopwatch method

Here, the time until drying is measured with a stopwatch.

• Conventional disinfectant is dispensed into the palm of the hand. The time until the hands are completely dry is measured while rubbing it in.
• If the hands are dry before the required exposure time (usually 30 seconds) has elapsed, the amount must be increased and measured again with a stopwatch.

Rules of thumb – practical tips for everyday life

„"A handful"“

• The palm of the hand as a measuring cup: The cupped palm serves as an individual measure. The goal is to dispense exactly as much disinfectant as the palm can hold. This rule ensures that the amount is proportional to hand size. Prior practice can help you determine the correct amount for your own palm.

„"Counting pump strokes"“

• Counting pump strokes at the dispenser: The dosage is often specified in "pump strokes." However, this method is considered inaccurate. Dispensing systems are not standardized. Depending on the model, one stroke dispenses between 1 ml and 3 ml. Counting pump strokes without knowing the specific dispensing volume of the dispenser does not guarantee that the required number of milliliters will be dispensed.

Influence of the dosage form

Depending on the nature of the product, there are specific application requirements:

• Liquid preparations: Liquid hand sanitizers are considered the standard for rapid wetting and are widely used in medical facilities. They spread easily into folds and under the nails. However, if too much is used, they can drip more easily.
• Gels: Gels are thicker and don't drip as easily. They need to be rubbed in carefully to ensure all areas of the hands are covered. The amount applied should not be reduced just because the gel feels more concentrated.
• Foam: When using foam preparations, the visible foam volume should not be used as a guideline. A palmful of foam does not automatically correspond to the required amount of product. The crucial factor is that sufficient product is applied and that all areas of the hand remain completely wet during the application time.