Open Source Hygiene

Open Source Hygiene - open-source assistive technology concept by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) community

About this project

Easy step-by-step guide prepared by the World Health Organization (WHO) for making personal to large quantities of alcohol-based hand rub to disinfect hands. NOTE: All handrub containers must be labelled in accordance with national and international guidelines

The challenge

To help countries and health-care facilities to achieve system change

and adopt alcohol-based handrubs, WHO has identified formulations

for their local preparation.

Who it helps

At present, alcohol-based handrubs are the only known means for rapidly and effectively inactivating a wide array of potentially harmful microorganisms on hands. However, these handrubs are not always available for purchase commercially.

How it works

Specs

Used as the standard of care for hand hygiene of health workers caring for Ebola patients.

REAGENTS FOR FORMULATION 1:

Ethanol 96%

Hydrogen peroxide 3%

Glycerol 98%

Sterile distilled or boiled cold water

REAGENTS FOR FORMULATION 2:

Isopropyl alcohol 99.8%

Hydrogen peroxide 3%

Glycerol 98%

Sterile distilled or boiled cold water

NOTE: All handrub containers must be labelled in accordance with national and international guidelines

Developer History

According to the available evidence on efficacy, tolerability and cost effectiveness, WHO recommends using an alcohol-based hand rub for routine hand antisepsis in most clinical situations. Health-care facilities currently using commercially-available hand rubs, liquid soaps and skin care products sold in disposable containers should continue this practice, provided that the hand rubs meet recognized standards for microbial efficacy (ASTM or EN standards) and are well accepted/ tolerated by the health-care workers.

WHO recommends the local production of the following formulations as an alternative when suitable commercial products are either unavailable or too costly.

To assist countries and health-care facilities with adopting alcohol-based hand rubs, WHO has identified formulations for local preparation. Logistic, economic, safety, cultural and religious factors have been carefully considered by WHO before recommending such formulations for international use .

WHO DISCLAIMER

All reasonable precautions have been taken by the World Health Organization to verify the information contained in this document. However, the published material is being distributed without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. The responsibility for the interpretation and use of the material lies with the reader. In no event shall the World Health Organization be liable for damages arising from its use.

Project details

The build files for Open Source Hygiene are free to download from this page - open source, shared by TOM: Tikkun Olam Makers.

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