Bacteria becoming resistant to hospital disinfectants, warn scientists

The alcohol-based handrubs that hospitals use to prevent infection are becoming less effective, research has shown

Hospitals will need to use new strategies to tackle bacteria experts have warned, after finding a type of hospital superbug is becoming increasingly tolerant of alcohol - the key component of current disinfectant hand rubs.

Handwashes based on alcohols such as isopropanol have become commonplace as a method of infection control. But while the move has been linked to benefits, including a fall in rates of hospital infections of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), new research suggests it might also have had unexpected consequences.