Final answer:
The preferred method of hand decontamination when hands are not visibly soiled is the use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially for healthcare workers. It is a rapid and effective means of degerming without soap and water, and is particularly useful between patient contacts in healthcare settings.
Step-by-step explanation:
The preferred method of hand decontamination when hands are not visibly soiled, especially for healthcare workers, is the use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. This method is quick, effective, and less damaging to the skin than repeated washing with soap and water. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), handwashing should be done thoroughly following a specific procedure when necessary, involving wetting hands with clean, running water, applying soap, scrubbing all surfaces of the hands and the area under the fingernails, rinsing, and drying thoroughly. However, if hands are not visibly soiled, using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is adequate for degerming, which significantly reduces microbial numbers without the need for water or soap.
Healthcare workers, in particular, must practice rigorous hand hygiene. Between patient contacts and after potential contamination, using hand sanitizer is a routine practice to prevent the spread of infections. For more invasive procedures, such as surgeries, the scrubbing process is more intensive, requiring additional steps to ensure a reduced microbial load on the skin.