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An evaluation of antiseptics used for hand disinfection in wards

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

Juhani Ojajärvi
Juhani Ojajärvi
Affiliation:
The Department of Public Health Science, University of Helsinki, Finland
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The antibacterial effectiveness of hand antiseptics commonly used in wards was studied by laboratory and in-use tests and their acceptability assessed by means of a questionnaire passed to hospital staff. To determine the immediate and long-term antibacterial effects of the preparations the in-use tests were performed by groups of students. The greatest immediate reduction in bacterial counts on hands was obtained by products containing chlorhexidine. The longterm antibacterial effect was recorded with emulsions containing 3% hexachlorophane, 2% Irgasan CF3R or 4% chlorhexidine when used constantly on several consecutive days. Considerable discrepancies were recorded in the antibacterial effectiveness of some preparations when comparing laboratory and in-use test results. Therefore it is suggested that antiseptics should be tested by in-use tests which more closely resemble practical conditions before their use, or further trial, in hospital.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 76 , Issue 1 , February 1976 , pp. 75 - 82
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1976

References

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