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Indications for Alcohol or Bland Soap in Removal of Aerobic Gram-Negative Skin Bacteria: Assessment by a Novel Method

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 June 2016

Debra G. Eckert ,
N. Joel Ehrenkranz  and
Blanca C. Alfonso
Debra G. Eckert
Affiliation:
Florida Consortium for Infection Control, Miami, Florida
N. Joel Ehrenkranz*
Affiliation:
Florida Consortium for Infection Control, Miami, Florida
Blanca C. Alfonso
Affiliation:
Florida Consortium for Infection Control, Miami, Florida
*
Florida Consortium for Infection Control, 5900 SW 73rd Street, Suite 207, Miami, FL 33143
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Abstract

A patient contact model was devised for health care workers (HCWs) to define heavy hand contamination with aerobic gram-negative bacilli (AGNB) that requires alcohol for complete removal. In patients, AGNB quantitation was per ml cup scrub fluid; in HCWs, per ml glove juice. Following 15-second contact, two Proteeae groin carriers yielding ≥ 4 log10 AGNB (high burden) transmitted ≥ 3 log10 in 67% of 24 tests of six HCWs, and ≤ 2 log10 in 29%. Two carriers yielding ≤ 3 log10 (low burden) transmitted ≥ 3 log10 in 8% and ≤ 2 log10 in 38%. At ≤ 2 log10 HCW acquisitions, soap eliminated all AGNB in six of seven tests; alcohol in nine of nine (p > 0.05). At ≥ 3 log10 acquisitions, soap eliminated all AGNB in three of 10; alcohol in eight of eight (p = 0.009). Contact with densely colonized patient skin may cause heavy AGNB contamination of HCWs' hands that generally necessitates alcohol for complete removal.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 10 , Issue 7 , July 1989 , pp. 306 - 311
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1989

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