From SC Johnson Professional: New Hand Hygiene System Introduces An Evidence-Based Method For Validating Compliance

SC Johnson Professional has announced the latest addition to its Alcare® product line, Alcare® Extra with OPTIDOSE™. Designed to take the guesswork out of compliance for hospitals and infection prevention teams, this extension to its hand hygiene portfolio delivers a clinically proven dose of hand sanitizer with every use — introducing a consistent, evidence-based approach to effective hand hygiene.

“Hand hygiene remains one of the most important interventions for preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) — a leading cause of preventable harm in hospitals,” according to a press release. “Yet, despite decades of focus, compliance rates have plateaued, typically ranging from 40% to 70%.(1-3) One contributing factor is lack of clear guidance on which products reliably achieve the wet-time thresholds required by the WHO and the CDC.(4-6) In fact, The Leapfrog Group, a leading health care safety advocacy group, highlights the ongoing absence of standardized mechanisms to measure compliance and ensure products support recommended technique.(7)

“SC Johnson Professional’s OPTIDOSE™ technology increases confidence in consistency — helping infection prevention teams reduce risk by addressing a key contributor to HAIs: inconsistent hand hygiene practices. The cartridge’s 1.5mL dosing technology — now paired with the Alcare® Extra sanitizer formula — ensures each use delivers sufficient volume and contact time to meet the efficacy criteria outlined by WHO and CDC guidelines. Together, the cartridge and formulation provide a simple but meaningful compliance upgrade — helping hospitals standardize product performance and strengthen patient safety through greater consistency at the point of care.”

The release added: “Recent research conducted by SC Johnson Professional and presented at the International Conference on Prevention and Infection Control (ICPIC) 2025 confirmed smaller doses commonly used in healthcare settings often fail to maintain the wet contact time required for effective hand sanitization. The study showed the 1.5mL dose consistently achieved the minimum wet-time threshold, helping guarantee compliant hand hygiene events across hand sizes and settings.

“Alcare® Extra is perfume- and dye-free and enriched with moisturizers to reduce the risk of irritation with frequent use.(8) Its clinically proven formula has a wide range of efficacy in eliminating many common organisms in the healthcare environment. Now powered by OPTIDOSE™ engineered-for-precision dispensing technology, it provides an effective way for hospitals to enhance compliance and support healthier hands — all without changing workflows.”

Alcare® Extra is perfume- and dye-free as well as enriched with moisturizers. (Photo courtesy of SC Johnson Professional)

For more information about Alcare® Extra with OPTIDOSE™, visit https://www.scjp.com/en-us/products/alcare-extra.

1. World Health Organization. World Hand Hygiene Day 2021: Key Facts and Figures. Geneva, Switzerland: WHO; 2021. Available at: https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-hand-hygiene-day/2021/key-facts-and-figures.
2. Erasmus V, Daha TJ, Brug H, et al. Systematic review of studies on compliance with hand hygiene guidelines in hospital care. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2010;31(3):283–294.
3. Pittet D, Allegranzi B, Boyce J. Hand hygiene: improved standards and practice for patient safety. Lancet Infect Dis. 2022;22(4):e120–e132.
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hand Hygiene Recommendations. Updated 2024. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/hcp/clinical-safety/index.html.
5. World Health Organization. WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care: First Global Patient Safety Challenge Clean Care Is Safer Care. Geneva, Switzerland: WHO Press; 2009.
6. World Health Organization. Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care. Section I.2: Recommended wet time for alcohol-based hand rubs (20-30 s). Geneva, Switzerland: WHO; 2009.
7. The Leapfrog Group. U.S. Hospitals Show Dramatic Improvements in Hand Hygiene, According to New Leapfrog Report. PR Newswire; 2024. Available at: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-hospitals-show-dramatic-improvements-in-hand-hygiene-according-to-new-leapfrog-report-302251282.html.
8. The perfume-free and dye-free formulation did not demonstrate a potential for eliciting dermal sensitization after conducting an independent 6-week Human Repeat Insult Patch Test (HRIPT).