title: [The use of disinfectants in Northern Italy with special attention to the Emilia-Romagna region].
abstract: As part of an extensive investigation into the use of disinfectants in hospitals, data from 189 hospitals in the north of Italy, including 38 in the Emilia-Romagna region, were examined. Eleven fields of employment were assessed. It was found that benzalkonium chloride was primarily used for disinfection of the operative field, wounds, excoriations, sores, the skin prior to injection, surgical instruments, catheters, thermometers, and utensils. Chlorhexidine was preferred to disinfection of the hands and medical equipment. Formaldehyde was preferred for ambient surfaces, the air of confined spaces, and (in association with chlorine and its derivatives) for sanitary services and vessels. Glutaric aldehyde was preferred for apparatus fitted with lenses or optical fibres. By comparison with other parts of N. Italy. Emilia-Romagna made greater use of hydrogen peroxide for skin lesions, and alcohol for disinfection prior to transcutaneous injections.
mesh_terms: D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds; D004202:Disinfectants; D004363:Drug Utilization; D006761:Hospitals; D007558:Italy
chemical_list: D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds; D004202:Disinfectants
vernacular_title: Indagine sull'uso dei disinfettanti nell'Italia Settentrionale con particolare riguardo alla Regione Emilia-Romagna.