Background: Procedures of hand hygiene are an important component in prevention of cross-transmission of infections in hospitals. In recent years, hand washing with antiseptic soap (chlorhexidine) was replaced with use of alcohol-based hand rub. This change brought an increase in compliance with hand hygiene regulations from 30-40% to over 50%, and in other places up to 70%. However, even 70% compliance is not enough. One of the reported reasons for lack of compliance of staff to the use of alcohol-based preparations is skin irritation and dryness of the hands as a result of frequent use. At Sheba, like the majority of Israeli hospitals, the product used for handwashing is Septol (Teva), which includes 0.5% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) and 70% ethyl alcohol. The CDC, WHO and FDA guidelines approve for use of hospital hand hygiene, products that contain between 61-85% ethanol.