Plans to Reduce Use of Hand Dryers in Hospitals, Nursing Home and Clinics

Dr Chia Shi-Lu asked the Minister for Health in view of the research findings that there are higher amounts of bacteria, including antibiotic resistant ones, in the air and bathroom surfaces where jet-air hand dryers are used compared to paper hand towels, whether there are plans to reduce the number of hand dryers in our hospitals, nursing homes and clinics and increase the provision of paper towels instead.

Our public healthcare institutions have in place infection prevention and control (IPC) programmes in accordance with the Ministry of Health (MOH) Guidelines. The programmes are aligned with international best practices to minimise the transmission of bacteria and reduce healthcare-associated infections.

In patient care areas, such as inpatient wards and outpatient consultation rooms, paper hand towels are provided for the drying of hands after handwashing.

In some public areas, jet-air hand dryers may be available. Routine cleaning are undertaken using hospital-grade cleaning agents and disinfectants to minimise the transmission of bacteria.

All healthcare institutions also adopt hand hygiene practices, which include staff using alcohol-based hand rub before contact with patients.

Visitors are also encouraged to observe hand hygiene when they are in patient care areas. All of us can also play our part by washing our hands before and after visiting our friends and relatives in hospitals.