Microbiological tests on operating-theatre staff of a new disinfectant foam based on 1% chlorhexidine gluconate

A pre-operative topical application of a foam containing 1% chlorhexidine gluconate in 50% ethanol to the hands and forearms was compared with a 4% chlorhexidine gluconate scrub. When these sites were sampled after 1 h of operating with gloves, no difference in the rates of recovery of Staphylococcus epidermidis between the two groups was found.