Study: 5x Increase Hand Sanitizer Usage When Placed In Middle Of Hospital

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Many turn to hand sanitizers as a supplement or alternative to hand washing, especially when at a hospital or doctor's office.

According to a study, the number of people using an alcohol-based sanitizer increased more than 500 percent when the dispenser was placed in the middle of a hospital lobby floor in front of the visitor's entrance.

Researchers from Clemson University and the Greenville Health System conducted a multi-week study in which they observed the usage of alcohol-based hand sanitizer was 5.28 higher when the dispenser was in the middle of the entrance, instead of off to the side near the information desk.

The study found that children and young adults were nearly 50 percent more likely to use the hand sanitizer than older adults.

Additionally, those who arrived in groups were almost 40 percent more likely to use the product, compared to those who entered the hospital alone.

"Visitors represent an additional vector by which healthcare-associated diseases can be transmitted to patients, and thus visitor hand hygiene is an opportunity to further improve patient safety," the study authors said.

"The study suggests many future research opportunities, including investigation into the effect of group dynamics and social pressure on visitor hand sanitizer utilization to identify strategies for improving visitor hand hygiene."

Researchers say during the study period, the dispenser was placed in a different location each week.