Abstract
Background: Hand transmission of microbes by health care workers is a primary cause of nosocomial
infections in both long-term and acute care facilities. Compliance with effective
handwashing and hand sanitization regimens can break this cycle. Methods: We investigated the antimicrobial efficacy and irritation potential of 5 handwash
product regimens: a nonantimicrobial lotion soap, an antimicrobial lotion soap, an
alcohol gel sanitizer, a nonantimicrobial lotion soap with an alcohol gel sanitizer,
and an antimicrobial lotion soap with an alcohol gel sanitizer. The regimens were
evaluated by using a Healthcare Personnel Handwash procedure, and irritation was assessed
by using expert hand evaluation after 25 consecutive washes. Results: The Healthcare Personnel Handwash data showed that the mean log reductions from baseline
were greatest for the lotion soaps with alcohol gel sanitizer, less for the alcohol
and the antimicrobial soap alone, and least for the bland soap. All of the product
regimens showed a low potential for skin irritation. Conclusion: In terms of both microorganism reduction and skin irritation, the most effective
product regimens were the use of alcohol gel sanitizer in combination with either
an antimicrobial or a plain lotion soap. (AJIC Am J Infect Control 1999;27:332-8)
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Article Info
Footnotes
☆From the BioScience Laboratories, Inc, Bozeman,a and GOJO Industries, Inc, Cuyahoga Falls.b
☆☆Supported in part by GOJO Industries, Inc.
★Reprint requests: Eleanor J. Fendler, PhD, GOJO Industries, Inc, 3783 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223.
★★17/46/96194
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Copyright
© 1999 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
