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Published on: June 7, 2017
Effects of ultra-pure soft water on the hands of nurses in a neonatal intensive care unit: A randomized crossover
Kaoru Okazaki1, Yuta Fujino2, Yoshihiko Morikawa3
1Department of Neonatology, Tokyo Metropolitan Children's Medical Center, Fuchu, Japan.
Background:
Healthcare workers (HCWs) wash their hands with tap water (TW) and soap. However, hard TW causes dermatitis.
Objectives:
The present study aimed to compare the effects of ultra-pure soft water (UPSW) with those of TW on the hands of HWCs.
Methods:
The present study was a prospective randomized trial with a crossover design. All the nurses in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at the study centre were divided into Sequence 1 (UPSW to TW) or 2 (TW to UPSW) and washed their hands with TW or UPSW in alternating 4-week periods with a 4-week washout period. Trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and stratum corneum hydration (SCH) were evaluated. Skin condition was self-assessed.
Results:
Twenty-one and 22 nurses were assigned to Sequence 1 and Sequence 2, respectively. USPW increased SCH to a significantly greater degree than TW (mean: 26.3 μS ± 12.3 SD; 95% confidence interval: 1.12-51.54; p = 0.041) although it did not affect TEWL. UPSW use significantly improved the subjects' skin condition, as reflected in an overall increase in the assessment scores.
Conclusions:
UPSW improved SCH and the condition of hand skin. Prolonged USPW use may increase nurses' comfort during work and hand hygiene compliance.
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