Infection control, or the prevention of the spread of infectious disease in hospital and healthcare settings, hinges as much, if not more, on occupants' proper hand washing techniques as it does on proper cleaning and disinfection of surfaces and touch points. Facilities should be encouraging hand hygiene, which can be aided by soap and hand sanitizer products.

Foam and liquid soaps, when dispensed in adequate amounts by touchless, automatic dispensers, encourage occupants to work up a lather between their hands - an important step in the 20 second process - while eliminating a touch point. Hand sanitizers can be used as a complement to a hand washing program, or as a solution when hand washing is not an option.

Healthcare facilities often feature both antibacterial soap and hand sanitizer options for patients, staff and visitors.