Georgia-Pacific highlights the challenges healthcare workers face in hand hygiene

GP PRO, a division of Georgia-Pacific and a leader in advanced dispensing and smart monitoring solutions, has released the results of its latest hand hygiene study in recognition of International Infection Prevention Week, established by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).

The survey, titled “Understanding the Hands That Care for Others,” gathered insights from 100 nurses working in acute and long-term care facilities. While 92% of respondents agreed that proper hand hygiene is essential, more than half admitted that opportunities for hand hygiene are often missed during busy shifts due to emergencies, empty or inaccessible dispensers, and skin irritation caused by frequent washing or sanitizing.

“As an APIC 2025 Visionary Partner, we’re proud to support nurses and infection prevention professionals during International Infection Prevention Week,” said Ashley Butler, Vice President and General Manager of Skin Care, Tissue, and Wipers at GP PRO. “The insights from this survey help us foster empathy within our organization while driving the development of touchless dispensers and innovative soap and sanitizer formulas that eliminate germs while keeping hands hydrated.”

The report also highlights the skin health challenges associated with frequent hand hygiene: only 14% of respondents described their hands as “normal,” while 76% reported dryness and many others cited cracked, sensitive, or painful skin.

 

According to Dr. Mary Glesner, Director of R&D at Georgia-Pacific’s Neenah Technical Center, some nurses wash or sanitize their hands up to 100 times during a 12-hour shift, underscoring the need for gentle yet effective antimicrobial formulations that protect the skin barrier.

Nearly all participants (99%) agreed that proper drying is essential for effective hand hygiene, and 59% said that hands do not feel completely clean unless they are also fully dry. Respondents also preferred thicker and softer paper towels, which are more absorbent and comfortable for dry or cracked hands.

GP PRO’s enMotion® sanitizer includes aloe, vitamin B5, and a botanical blend of moisturizers clinically proven to increase skin hydration within two days while eliminating 99.99% of common harmful germs. Its touchless dispensing systems, such as enMotion® and Pacific Blue Ultra™, reduce cross-contamination risk, while the KOLO® Smart Monitoring System ensures that dispensers remain stocked through a data-driven approach.

Through this research, GP PRO continues to demonstrate its leadership and innovation in hand hygiene, supporting healthcare professionals and contributing to infection prevention worldwide.