Frequently Asked Questions

According to both the CDC¹ and the WHO², using an alcohol-based hand rub is the preferred means for routine hand antisepsis in healthcare settings. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are more effective for standard hand decontamination than soap or antimicrobial soap. Alcohol-based hand rubs containing emollients are also better tolerated by healthcare workers than washing with soap.

1.    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Guideline for hand hygiene in health-care settings. MMWR. October 25, 2002;(RR-16):pgs.11,19,32.
2.    WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2009. p.152.

Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention¹ and The World Health Organization² specify that the tips of natural nails should be less than ¼ inch long. This is because the subungual area of fingernails has the largest number of microorganisms on the hands. Short fingernails collect less debris, and the debris is more easily removed when fingernails are short. Long fingernails also pose a risk of developing tears in gloves and also injuring a patient during positioning or other care.³

1.    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Guideline for hand hygiene in health-care settings. MMWR. October 25, 2002;(RR-16):pg.33.
2.    WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2009. p.154.
3.    Association of periOperative Registered Nurses. AORN Perioperative Standards and Recommended Practices, 2011. p. 73-74,

Hands should be washed with soap and water when visibly dirty or visibly soiled with blood or other body fluids, if exposure to a spore-forming pathogen is known or suspected, and after using the toilet.¹

1.    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Guideline for hand hygiene in health-care settings. MMWR. October 25, 2002;(RR-16):pg.32.

No. Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention¹ and The World Health Organization² recommend that rings, watches, and bracelets be removed before beginning the surgical hand scrub. Studies have shown that wearing rings may increase the risk of hands being colonized with bacterial pathogens.³

1.    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Guideline for hand hygiene in health-care settings. MMWR. October 25, 2002;(RR-16):32.
2.    WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2009. p.152.
3.    Association of periOperative Registered Nurses. AORN Perioperative Standards and Recommended Practices, 2011. p. 73-74, 
       Salisbury DM et al. The effect of rings on microbial load of healthcare workers’ hands. Am J Infect Control. 1997;25(1):24-27. 
       Kelsall NK et al. Should finger rings be removed prior to scrubbing for theater? J Hosp Infect. 2006;62(4):450-452.

No. Products used for surgical hand scrub must have documented persistent and cumulative activity that has met U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements for surgical hand antisepsis. The unique Advanced Alcohol formulation of PURELL Waterless Surgical Scrub meets and exceeds these FDA requirements.

GOJO technical personnel know the science of routine hand decontamination and surgical hand antisepsis, monitor the latest hand hygiene research and work with global thought leaders. To contact GOJO technical personnel, call 800-321-9647.

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers, such as PURELL, are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA Tentative Final Monograph1 contains rules for each class of products and describes acceptable active ingredients, doses, formulations, claims and labeling requirements for hand antiseptics.

The active ingredient in PURELL is ethyl alcohol – sometimes referred to as “mother nature’s disinfectant.” Ethyl alcohol is classified as a Category I active ingredient, which means it’s generally recognized as safe and effective when used as directed.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be used when hands are not visibly soiled. If hands are visibly soiled, use soap and water.

GOJO technical personnel know the science of hand hygiene, monitor the latest research affecting the category and work with global thought leaders, so they may respond to your questions. To contact GOJO technical personnel, call 800-321-9647 and mention that you have a question about efficacy.