Comparison of different regimens for surgical hand preparation

Twenty surgical staff members participated in a clinical trial to compare the microbiology and skin condition of hands when using a traditional surgical scrub (TSS) with a detergent-based antiseptic containing 4% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) and a short application without scrub of a waterless hand preparation (HP) containing 61% ethyl alcohol, 1% CHG, and emollients. The HP was associated with less skin damage (P = .002) and lower microbial counts postscrub at days five (P = .002) and 19 (P = .02). The HP protocol had shorter contact time (HP mean [M] = 80.7 seconds; TSS M = 144.9 seconds; P < .0001), and more subjects preferred the HP regimen (P = .001). The HP performed better than the TSS, was less costly, and should be evaluated in larger trials and considered for widespread implementation.