Comparison of different regimens for surgical hand preparation.
Twenty surgical staff members participated in a clinical trial to compare the microbiology and skin condition of hands when using a traditional surgical scrub (TSS) with a detergent-based antiseptic containing 4% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) and a short application without scrub of a waterless hand preparation (HP) containing 61% ethyl alcohol, 1% CHG, and emollients. The HP was associated with less skin damage (P = .002) and lower microbial counts postscrub at days five (P = .002) and 19 (P = .02). The HP protocol had shorter contact time (HP mean [M] = 80.7 seconds; TSS M = 144.9 seconds; P < .0001), and more subjects preferred the HP regimen (P = .001). The HP performed better than the TSS, was less costly, and should be evaluated in larger trials and considered for widespread implementation.
Larson
E L
EL
Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, USA.
Aiello
A E
AE
Heilman
J M
JM
Lyle
C T
CT
Cronquist
A
A
Stahl
J B
JB
Della-Latta
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000191:economics / Q000494:pharmacology; D000985:Antisepsis / Q000379:methods*; D002710:Chlorhexidine; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004890:Erythema / Q000139:chemically induced; D000431:Ethanol; D005260:Female; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000139:chemically induced; D006235:Hand Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009518:New York; D009871:Operating Room Nursing; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D000431:Ethanol; D002710:Chlorhexidine