Alcohol Based Hand Rubs (ABHR)
Joint Commission’s Official Stance on the use of Alcohol-Based Hand Rubs
On March 7, 2006, the Joint Commission announced their official stance on the use of Alcohol-Based Hand Rubs (ABHR) dispensers in egress corridors in their article Using Alcohol-Based Hand Rubs to Meet National Patient Safety Goal 7 published in the March 2006 edition of Joint Commission Perspectives. ASHE Alert
Installation Criteria for Hand Rub Dispensers (JC and CMS)
ASHE Regulatory Alert establishing CMS and the Joint Commission’s interpretation of the term “adjacent” in the installation criteria of hand rub dispensers. ASHE Alert
- Aerosol ABBR: On May 25, 2007 the International Code Council (ICC) approved a revision to the International Fire Code (IFC) allowing aerosol ABHR. ASHE Alert
- Liquid ABHR: In October 2005 the International Code Council (ICC) created a new section to the Flammable and Combustibles Liquids chapter of the International Fire Code (IFC) to address the use of alcohol-based hand rubs. By providing detailed criteria on the use and storage of alcohol-based hand rubs, the IFC provides guidance to minimize any potential fire risk while allowing handrub dispensers to be located in convenient locations to maximize access and use by healthcare workers. The IFC is adopted and enforced by 36 states and Washington, DC. More ... (PDF).
CMS Issues Interim Final Rule allowing Alcohol-Based Hand Rub
On March 25, 2005, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an Amendment to Fire Safety Requirements for Certain Health Care Facilities - File code CMS-3145-IFC, in the Federal Register. This final rule adopts the substance of the April 15, 2004 temporary interim amendment (TIA) 00-1 (101), Alcohol Based Hand Rub Solutions, an amendment to the 2000 edition of the Life Safety Code, published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). This amendment will allow certain health care facilities to place alcohol-based hand rub dispensers in egress corridors under specified conditions.
NFPA Approves Alcohol Hand Rub Amendment
On April 28, 2004, the NPFA announced the amendment of the 2000 and 2003 editions of the Life Safety Code (LSC) to specifically recognize and permit the use of alcohol-based hand rub solutions in patient rooms, corridors, and suites of healthcare facilities. This amendment is the result of a year-long advocacy effort led by ASHE in collaboration with the AHA, CDC, APIC, SHEA, and other members of the infection control and fire safety community.
- Link to Full Advisory
- NFPA decision
- Amendment to 2003 Life Safety Code
- Amendment to 2000 Life Safety Code
Fire Modeling Analysis
ASHE commissioned Gage-Babcock & Associates, Inc. to perform a study of how hand rubs will react to a fire in a typical patient care environment. This report documents a computerized fire modeling study conducted for typical installations of dispensers containing alcohol-based hand rubs. Based on the analysis of the modeling data, recommendations are made regarding the container volume, placement, and storage. These recommendations may be in conflict with local fire and building codes. The installation of dispensers and the storage of products should be discussed with the local fire marshal and/or local building officials to address compliance with prevailing building and fire codes. Organizations are encouraged to utilize this fire modeling study to inform the discussion and arrive at a solution that meets the dual goals of effective hand hygiene and fire safety.
- Inside ASHE Article: Alcohol-Based Hand Rub Solution - Fire Modeling Analysis (members only!)
- Fire Modeling Analysis Report
- Appendix B – Additional Fire Model Results Charts and Smokeview screen shots
National Stakeholders Meeting
On July 22, 2003 ASHE/AHA and CDC co-hosted the National Stakeholders Meeting on Alcohol-based Hand-Rubs and Fire Safety in Health Care Facilities. This meeting brought together representatives from both health care and fire safety groups to review scientific data and the fire codes. Both groups are committed to work towards finding a way in which hospitals and health care facilities can take advantage of the effectiveness of alcohol-based hand rubs without increasing fire risk and jeopardizing patient safety.
CDC Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings
The hand hygiene guidelines were developed by the CDC's Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC), in collaboration with the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), the Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA). The CDC's Web site also features ways healthcare organizations can promote safe hand hygiene.