Alcohol hand gel/rub is a clear substance that enables people to decontaminate their hands without using soap and water. It contains 70% alcohol and a moisturiser.
It can be used to disinfect clean hands before you visit a friend or relative. Staff working at the hospital can use it to disinfect their hands prior to treating their patients.
• Push the dispenser once to obtain a measured amount of gel/rub
• Rub the gel/rub onto both hands includin between your fingers, thumbs and wrists
• Continue rubbing your hands together until the alcohol has evaporated; this normally takes approximately 15 – 20 seconds
• Alcohol hand gel/rub is safe for children to use, however children must be supervised by an adult to ensure that they do not accidently get it in their eyes or swallow it
• Alcohol hand gel/rub is not absorbed through the skin making it safe for pregnant people to use
• Alcohol hand gel/rub will not remove dirt from your hands – you need to wash your hands with soap and water if they are dirty
• Staff are expected to use it before and after patient contact
• It is okay to ask staff if they have cleaned their hands
• If the dispenser is empty please inform staff
24-24 RNOH
Author: Infection Prevention and Control Department
Page last updated: 30 May 2025