A 1-minute hand wash does not impair the efficacy of a propanol-based hand rub in two consecutive surgical hand disinfection procedures.
We studied the effect of a 1-min hand wash on the bacterial hand flora in two consecutive surgical hand disinfection procedures. A propanol-based hand rub (PBHR; Sterillium) and n-propanol (60%, v/v) were tested in a Latin-square design according to EN 12791 in four variations. The reference alcohol was always applied for 3 min after a 1-min hand wash (variation 1). The PBHR was applied for 1.5 min (first application) or 0.5 min (second application). Variation 2 included a 1-min hand wash before both applications, variation 3 included the hand wash before application 1, in variation 4 hands were not washed at all before application. Pre- and post-values were obtained according to EN 12791. The reference disinfection reduced bacteria by 2.99 log(10) (immediate efficacy) and 2.22 log(10) after 3 h. The second reference disinfection reduced bacteria by 0.95 log(10) (immediate efficacy) and 0.68 log(10) after 3 h. The PBHR always yielded an equivalent reduction with and without a preceding hand wash (p > 0.05; Friedman test). A 1-min hand wash before application of the PBHR did not significantly change its efficacy for surgical hand disinfection in two consecutive surgical procedures of 3 h.
Kampf
G
G
Scientific Affairs, BODE Chemie GmbH, Melanchthonstrasse 27, 22525, Hamburg, Germany. guenter.kampf@bode-chemie.de
Ostermeyer
C
C
D000433:1-Propanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006225:Hand / Q000382:microbiology*; D006235:Hand Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D013997:Time Factors
D004202:Disinfectants; D000433:1-Propanol