Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Comparison of the Antimicrobial effect of Ethanolic Hand Sanitizers and other Hand Disinfection Methods in Hospitals


Affiliations
1 Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
2 Reader in Microbiology, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


AIM: To study and compare the antimicrobial effect of ethanolic hand sanitizers and other hand disinfection methods in hospitals. OBJECTIVE: To study and compare the antimicrobial effect of ethanolic hand sanitizers and other hand disinfection methods in hospitals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: There were a total of 50 participants (n=50), 10 participants for each method of disinfection. This study tested 5 different disindectants- a non medicated soap, a medicated soap, a non medicated hand wash, a medicated surgical standard handwash (with 4% chlorhexidinegluconate), and ethanol based handrub. Every participant was sampled before the hand disinfection. Another sample was obtained after disinfection. RESULT: The number of bacterial colonies is minimum with medicated hand wash containing 4% chlorhexidine glutamate (10.04%). This is followed by the use of ethanol based hand sanitiser (17.04%) for 2 mins. Next is the use of medicated soap (16.02%), followed by non-medicated hand wash (46.50%) and finally the maximum number of bacterial colonies present after hand disinfection is with the use of non-medicated soaps (52.06%). CONCLUSION: The ideal method of hand disinfection is using a medicated handwash (4% chlorhexidine glutamate). However, an excellent alternative to hand washing when antimicrobial efficacy, time for the procedure, and limited access to sinks are of concern is the use of ethanol based hand sanitizer.

Keywords

Handwashing, Hand Sanitizer, Disinfection, Ethanol Handrubs, Infection.
Subscription Login to verify subscription
User
Notifications
Font Size


  • Garner JS, Favero MS. CDC guideline for handwashing and hospital environmental control, 1985. Infect Control 1986; 7:231– 43

  • Larson E. Skin hygiene and infection prevention: more of the same or different approaches? Clin Infect Dis 1999;29:1287–94.

  • Rotter M. Hand washing and hand disinfection. In: Mayhall CG, ed. Hospital epidemiology and infection control. 2d ed. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1999:1339–55.

  • Conly JM, Hill S, Ross J, Lertzman J, Louie TJ. Handwashing practices in an intensive care unit: the effects of an educational program and its relaˇtionship to infection rates. Am J Infect Control 1989;17:330ˇ9.

  • Pittet D, Mourouga P, Perneger TV, and the Members of the Infection Control Program. Compliance with handwashing in a teaching hospital. Ann Intern Med 1999;130:126ˇ30.

  • Rotter ML. Hand washing, hand disinfection and skin disinfection. In: Mayhall G, ed. Hospital epidemiology and infection control. 2nd ed. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1999:691ˇ709.

  • Austin DJ, Bonten MJM, Weinstein RA, Slaughter S, Anderson RM. Vancomycinˇresistant enterococci in intensiveˇcare hospital settings: transmission dynamics, persistence, and the impact of infection control programs. Proc NatlAcad Sci U S A 1999;96:6908ˇ13.

  • Preston GA, Larson EL, Stamm WE. The effect of private isolation rooms on patient care practices, colonization and infection in an intensive care unit. Am J Med 1981;70:641ˇ5.

  • Simmons B, Bryant J, Neiman K, Spencer L, Arheart K. The role of handˇ washing in prevention of endemic intensive care unit infections. Infect Control HospEpidemiol 1990;11:589ˇ94.

  • Bischoff WE, Reynolds TM, Sessler CN, Edmond MB, Wenzel RP. Handˇ washing compliance by health care workers: the impact of introducing an accessible, alcoholˇbased hand antiseptic. Arch Intern Med 2000;160:1017 21.

  • Maury E, Alzieu M, Baudel JL, Haram N, Barbut F, Guidet B, et al. Availˇ ability of an alcohol solution can improve hand disinfection compliance in an intensive care unit. Am J RespirCrit Care Med 2000;162:3247.

  • Girou E, Oppein F. Handwashing compliance in a French university hospital: new perspective with the introduction of handˇrubbing with a waterless alcoholˇbased solution. J Hosp Infect 2001;48(suppl A):S55ˇ7.

  • Mackowiak PA. The normal microbial flora. N Engl J Med 1982; 307:83–93.

  • Boyce JM, Potter-Bynoe G, Opal SM, et al. A common-source outbreak of Staphylococcus epidermidis infections among patients undergoing cardiac surgery. J Infect Dis 1990; 161:493–9.

  • Rutala WA, Weber DJ, Thomann CA, et al. An outbreak of Pseudomonas cepaciabacteremia associated with a contaminated intra-aortic balloon pump. J ThoracCardiovascSurg 1988; 96:157– 61.

  • Widmer AF, Wenzel RP, Trilla A, et al. Outbreak of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in a surgical intensive care unit: probable transmission via hands of a health care worker. Clin Infect Dis 1993; 16:372–6.

  • Reagan DR, Doebbeling BN, Pfaller MA, et al. Elimination of coincident Staphylococcus aureus nasal and hand carriage with intranasal application of mupirocin calcium ointment. Ann Intern Med 1991; 114:101–6.

  • Larson E, McGinley KJ, Grove GL, et al. Physiologic, microbiologic, and seasonal effects of handwashing on the skin of health care personnel. Am J Infect Control 1986; 14:51–9

  • Pittet D, Dharan S, Touveneau S, et al. Bacterial contamination of the hands of hospital staff during routine patient care. Arch Intern Med 1999; 159: 821–6.

  • Doebbeling BN, Pfaller MA, Houston AK, et al. Removal of nosocomial pathogens from the contaminated glove: implications for glove reuse and handwashing. Ann Intern Med 1988; 109:394– 8.

  • Zaragoza M, Sallés M, Gomez J, Bayas JM, Trilla A. Handwashing with soap or alcoholic solutions? A randomized clinical trial of its effectiveness. Am J Infect Control 1999;27:258ˇ61.

  • Dyer DL1, Gerenraich KB, Wadhams PS, Testing a new alcoholfree hand sanitizer to combat infection, AORN J. 1998 Aug;68(2):239-41, 243-4, 247-51.

  • Meers PD, Yeo GA. Shedding of bacteria and skin squames after handwashing, J Hyg (Lond) 1978; 81:99–105.

  • Ojajarvi J. Effectiveness of hand washing and disinfection methods in removing transient bacteria after patient nursing. J Hyg (Lond) 1980; 85: 193–203.

  • Ehrenkranz NJ, Alfonso BC. Failure of bland soap handwash to prevent hand transfer of patient bacteria to urethral catheters. Infect ControlHospEpidemiol 1991; 12:654–62.

  • Faoagali JL, George N, Fong J, et al. Comparison of the antibacterial efficacy of 4% chlorhexidinegluconate and 1% triclosanhandwash products in an acute clinical ward. Am J Infect Control 1999; 27:320–6.

  • Foddai AC1, Grant IR2, Dean M3 Efficacy of Instant Hand Sanitizers against Foodborne Pathogens Compared with Hand Washing with Soap and Water in Food Preparation Settings: A Systematic Review, J Food Prot. 2016 Jun;79(6):1040-54. doi: 10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-15-492.

  • Smirti Balaji, Muralidharan NP, effectiveness of 4 different disinfectants in removing 2 microorganisms from acrylic resins, October 2016, IJPSR, vol 40(2) Pg 83-85.

  • Bischoff WE, Reynolds TM, Sessler CN, et al. Handwashing compliance by health care workers: the impact of introducing an accessible, alcohol-based hand antiseptic. Arch Intern Med 2000;160:1017–21.

  • Pittet D, Mourouga P, Perneger TV. Compliance with handwashing in a teaching hospital. Infection Control Program. Ann Intern Med 1999; 130: 126–30.

  • Park GW1, Barclay L, Macinga D, Charbonneau D, Pettigrew CA, Vinjé J Comparative efficacy of seven hand sanitizers against murine norovirus, feline calicivirus, and GII.4 norovirus., J Food Prot. 2010 Dec;73(12):2232-8.

  • Ayliffe GA, Babb JR, Quoraishi AH. A test for “hygienic” hand disinfection. J ClinPathol 1978; 31:923–8.

  • Widmer AF, Shah D, Frei R. Efficacy of 4 hand disinfectants against Mycobacterium terrae [abstract M61]. Infect Control HospEpidemiol 1999; 20:286.

  • Wewalka G, Rotter M, Koller W, et al. Comparison of efficacy of 14 procedures for the hygienic disinfection of hands. ZentralblBakteriol [Orig B] 1977; 165:242–9.

  • Steinmann J, Nehrkorn R, Meyer A, et al. Viruswirksamkeitderhygienischenha¨ndedesinfektion. Hyg Med 1990; 15:7–14.

  • Bellamy K, Alcock R, Babb JR, et al. A test for the assessment of “hygienic” hand disinfection using rotavirus. J Hosp Infect 1993; 24:201–10.

  • Steinmann J, Nehrkorn R, Meyer A, et al. Two in vivo protocols for testing virucidal efficacy of handwashing and hand disinfection. ZentralblHygUmweltmed 1995;196:425–36.

  • Andreas F. Widmer, Replace Hand Washing with Use of a Waterless Alcohol Hand Rub?, Clinical Infectious Diseases 2000;31:136–43.


Abstract Views: 269

PDF Views: 0




  • Comparison of the Antimicrobial effect of Ethanolic Hand Sanitizers and other Hand Disinfection Methods in Hospitals

Abstract Views: 269  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

Jerusha Santa Packyanathan
Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
N. P. Muralidharan
Reader in Microbiology, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India

Abstract


AIM: To study and compare the antimicrobial effect of ethanolic hand sanitizers and other hand disinfection methods in hospitals. OBJECTIVE: To study and compare the antimicrobial effect of ethanolic hand sanitizers and other hand disinfection methods in hospitals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: There were a total of 50 participants (n=50), 10 participants for each method of disinfection. This study tested 5 different disindectants- a non medicated soap, a medicated soap, a non medicated hand wash, a medicated surgical standard handwash (with 4% chlorhexidinegluconate), and ethanol based handrub. Every participant was sampled before the hand disinfection. Another sample was obtained after disinfection. RESULT: The number of bacterial colonies is minimum with medicated hand wash containing 4% chlorhexidine glutamate (10.04%). This is followed by the use of ethanol based hand sanitiser (17.04%) for 2 mins. Next is the use of medicated soap (16.02%), followed by non-medicated hand wash (46.50%) and finally the maximum number of bacterial colonies present after hand disinfection is with the use of non-medicated soaps (52.06%). CONCLUSION: The ideal method of hand disinfection is using a medicated handwash (4% chlorhexidine glutamate). However, an excellent alternative to hand washing when antimicrobial efficacy, time for the procedure, and limited access to sinks are of concern is the use of ethanol based hand sanitizer.

Keywords


Handwashing, Hand Sanitizer, Disinfection, Ethanol Handrubs, Infection.

References