Results from a study published in the American Journal of Infection Control showed an antiseptic with chlorhexidine gluconate 1 percent and ethyl alcohol 61 percent has similar efficacy but better persistence than two other types of antiseptics, according to a 3M news release.
For this study, researchers compared the immediate and persistent antimicrobial activity of three commercially available products: Avagard (chlorhexidine gluconate 1 percent solution and ethyl alcohol 61 percent w/w concentration) hand antiseptic, Sterillium antiseptic and Surgicept waterless antiseptic. The products were applied 12 times over five days with 83 male and female healthy volunteers. Samples were collected immediately after drying and six hours later on the first and fifth days. Bacterial colonies were compared across products for each sample time.
Their results showed the Avagard hand antiseptic demonstrated similar antibacterial efficacy immediately after use and better persistence after six hours of glove wear, compared to the other two products.
For this study, researchers compared the immediate and persistent antimicrobial activity of three commercially available products: Avagard (chlorhexidine gluconate 1 percent solution and ethyl alcohol 61 percent w/w concentration) hand antiseptic, Sterillium antiseptic and Surgicept waterless antiseptic. The products were applied 12 times over five days with 83 male and female healthy volunteers. Samples were collected immediately after drying and six hours later on the first and fifth days. Bacterial colonies were compared across products for each sample time.
Their results showed the Avagard hand antiseptic demonstrated similar antibacterial efficacy immediately after use and better persistence after six hours of glove wear, compared to the other two products.
Related Articles on Hand Hygiene:
Double Gloving More Beneficial Than Single Gloving, Study Suggests
Researchers Find 4 Ways to Boost Healthcare Worker Flu Vaccinations
4 Strategies to Keep Infection Prevention Specialists Ahead of the Curve