The use of various handwashing agents to decontaminate gloved hands.
It has been suggested that gloved hands could be washed between patient treatments in the dental surgery and gloves re-used, provided they are undamaged. A series of experiments are described, which evaluate the effectiveness of four handwashing agents at removing defined bacterial inoculae from two types of latex rubber glove, a dedicated dental procedure glove (Regent Biogel D) which has a rough surface and a smooth-surfaced examination glove (Microtouch). The four agents tested were povidone iodine (Betadine), chlorhexidine (Hibiscrub), 60% iso-propyl alcohol, and a detergent triclosan preparation (Kleenex washcream). The Biogel D gloves required slightly shorter washing times to eradicate organisms than the Microtouch gloves. It was found that washing with water alone reduced the organisms on gloves by 300-1000-fold, but a minimum washing time of 20 seconds with povidone iodine or chlorhexidine was required to eradicate all the organisms inoculated, except bacterial spores, from both glove surfaces. Povidone-iodine and chlorhexidine were more effective washing agents than iso-propyl alcohol and triclosan soap.
C W
CW
Douglas
T A
TA
Millward
A
A
Clark
D000433:1-Propanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D003902:Detergents / Q000494:pharmacology; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005932:Gloves, Surgical; D006235:Hand Disinfection; D011206:Povidone-Iodine / Q000494:pharmacology; D012408:Rubber; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors; D014260:Triclosan / Q000494:pharmacology; D014867:Water
D003902:Detergents; D004202:Disinfectants; D014867:Water; D014260:Triclosan; D011206:Povidone-Iodine; D012408:Rubber; D000433:1-Propanol; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002710:Chlorhexidine