Evaluation of Antiseptic Formulation for Hands of Surgical Staff in Operating Room

[[abstract]]There are two options for preoperative treatment of hands. Surgical hand scrub, which is the cleaning of hands with antimicrobial soap, brush, and water; and surgical hand rub, which is the application of an alcohol-based hand rub into dry hand without water. AvagardTM (CHG/Ethanol/emollient) surgical hand rub marketed in Taiwan three years ago. Waterless, brushless surgical hand rub challenged the traditional hand-hygiene formulation. This clinical study was based on the modified Tentative Final Monograph for Health-Care Antiseptic Products (TFM) and the Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Surgical Hand Scrub Formulation (ASTM E1115-02) to illuminate the activity of AvagardTM hand rub and HibitaneTM (4% CHG) hand scrub by logarithm reduction (LR). From Jan 24, 2010 to May 14, 2010, total 18 qualified surgical staff enrolled this clinical trial. Bacterial samples were got with glove-juice technique at 1 minute and 3 hour, the 1st hand antiseptic, and 1 minute, the 12th hand antiseptic. The skin irritation was check with score, grade and assessment. The LR and moisture content of assessment of the surgical hand rub proved to be significantly better (p < 0.05) than traditional hand scrub. Antimicrobial activities of the two preparations were all fitted the recommendation of TFM. The combination of 1% CHG. / 61% ethanol /emollient had significantly greater microbial reduction and moisture skin than HibitaneTM