Final answer:
The CDC recommends using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol for routine hand hygiene in clinical situations when soap and water are not available. Handwashing with soap and water is emphasized as the most effective method, particularly in a healthcare setting, as part of a comprehensive strategy to prevent the spread of pathogens.
Step-by-step explanation:
For routine hand hygiene in most clinical situations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. The CDC provides guidelines for effective handwashing, stating that for the general public, handwashing should take place before, during, and after food handling; before eating; before and after interacting with someone who is ill; before and after treating a wound; after using the toilet or changing diapers; after coughing, sneezing, or blowing the nose; after handling garbage; and after interacting with animals. Specifically, health-care workers must perform hand hygiene thoroughly between every patient contact and after removal of gloves, among other situations.
Handwashing is key to preventing the spread of pathogens and is the single most important defense against the spread of infections. The CDC instructs the use of soap and warm water, washing for at least 20 seconds, and focusing on commonly missed areas like thumbs, wrists, areas between the fingers, and under the fingernails. When soap and water are not available, the use of a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol is recommended to effectively reduce the number of pathogens on the hands.