Hand Hygiene Guidelines Offer Examples of Evidence-Based Interventions

​In the absence of evidence substantiating its superiority over plain soap, healthcare organizations should avoid triclosan-containing antibacterial soaps, states the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) in updated guidelines on hand hygiene. The antibacterial agent is described in the guidelines as a "known water contaminant" and, despite its touted benefits, has limited evidence to support its use, particularly in healthcare settings.