Summary
Handshaking is a known vector for bacterial transmission between individuals. Handwashing
has become a major initiative throughout healthcare systems to reduce transmission
rates, but as many as 80% of individuals retain some disease-causing bacteria after
washing. The fist bump is an alternative to the handshake that has become popular.
We have determined that implementing the fist bump in the healthcare setting may further
reduce bacterial transmission between healthcare providers by reducing contact time
and total surface area exposed when compared with the standard handshake.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 25, 2013
Accepted:
August 27,
2013
Received:
March 11,
2013
Identification
Copyright
Published by Elsevier Inc.