An evaluation of antiseptics used for hand disinfection in wards.
The antibacterial effectiveness of hand antiseptics commonly used in wards was studied by laboratory and in-use tests and their acceptability assessed by means of a questionnaire passed to hospital staff. To determine the immediate and long-term antibacterial effects of the preparations the in-use tests were performed by groups of students. The greatest immediate reduction in bacterial counts on hands was obtained by products containing chlorhexidine. The long-term antibacterial effect was recorded with emulsions containing 3% hexachlorophane, 2% Irgasan CF3R or 4% chlorhexidine when used constantly on several consecutive days. Considerable discrepancies were recorded in the antibacterial effectiveness of some preparations when comparing laboratory and in-use test  results. Therefore it is suggested that antiseptics should be tested by in-use tests which more closely resemble practical conditions before their use, or further trial, in hospital.
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000592:standards*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D002224:Carbanilides / Q000494:pharmacology; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D003408:Cresols / Q000494:pharmacology; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D000431:Ethanol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D006225:Hand / Q000382:microbiology*; D006582:Hexachlorophene / Q000494:pharmacology; D006757:Hospital Units; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D007466:Iodophors / Q000494:pharmacology; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects; D012915:Soaps / Q000494:pharmacology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects; D014260:Triclosan / Q000494:pharmacology
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D002224:Carbanilides; D003408:Cresols; D007466:Iodophors; D012915:Soaps; D000431:Ethanol; D014260:Triclosan; D006582:Hexachlorophene; D002710:Chlorhexidine