Rationale and testing of degerming procedures

The rationale of degerming procedures is the elimination of undesirable microorganisms from sites serving as potential starting points for the transmission of infections, eg, secretions, excretions, and vehicles. The significance of transmission of infection is well-established for some sites, such as the hands, but debatable for others such as surfaces. No general agreement exists on the efficacy of the different procedures used to prevent hospital infections. Since frequently multiple factors intervene and the final effect is due to the interaction of several preventative measures, it is very difficult to ascertain the efficacy of any given procedure. However, to prevent the formation of germ depots outside the organism is a classical postulate of hygiene not yet invalidated. Rationale and testing of degerming procedures are closely linked. From tests one expects an answer, if and to what extent a degerming procedure fulfills the requirement fixed by the rationale. It is essential to distinguish between the degerming agent as the active principle and the degerming procedure, which is comprised of additional factors in the application.