Indications for alcohol or bland soap in removal of aerobic gram-negative skin bacteria: assessment by a novel method.
A patient contact model was devised for health care workers (HCWs) to define heavy hand contamination with aerobic gram-negative bacilli (AGNB) that requires alcohol for complete removal. In patients, AGNB quantitation was per ml cup scrub fluid; in HCWs per ml glove juice. Following 15-second contact, two Proteeae groin carriers yielding greater than or equal to 4 log10 AGNB (high burden) transmitted greater than or equal to 3 log10 in 67% of 24 tests of six HCWs, and less than or equal to 2 log10 in 29%. Two carriers yielding less than or equal to 3 log10 in 38%. At less than or equal to 2 log10 HCW acquisitions, soap eliminated all AGNB in three of 10; alcohol in eight of eight (p = 0.009). Contact with densely colonized patient skin may cause heavy AGNB contamination of HCWs' hands that generally necessitates alcohol for complete removal.
Eckert
D G
DG
Florida Consortium for Infection Control, Miami 33143.
Ehrenkranz
N J
NJ
Alfonso
B C
BC
D000433:1-Propanol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002353:Carrier State / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006088:Gram-Negative Aerobic Bacteria; D006235:Hand Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D006281:Health Occupations; D006801:Humans; D012874:Skin Diseases, Infectious / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission; D012915:Soaps / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D012915:Soaps; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D000433:1-Propanol