Journal List > J Korean Acad Nurs > v.43(3) > 1002912

Ji and Jeong: Comparison of Antimicrobial Effect of Alcohol Gel according to the Amount and Drying Time in Health Personnel Hand Hygiene

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of alcohol gel according to the amount and drying time in health personnel hand hygiene and to promote in their practice adequate and effective hand hygiene.

Methods

The cross-over experimental study was performed with 14 volunteers. Hands were artificially contaminated with 5 mL of 108 CFU/mL of Serratia marcescens (ATCC 14756) and four different alcohol gel hand hygiene methods varying by the amount of alcohol gel (2 mL vs. 1 mL) and drying time (complete vs. incomplete) were compared. Samples were collected by glove juice sampling procedures.

Results

Mean log reduction values of the four different hand hygiene methods were 2.22±0.36, 1.26±0.53, 1.49±0.60, 0.89±0.47 respectively for the 4 groups: adequate amount (2mL) and complete dry (30 seconds rubbing followed by 2 min air-dry), inadequate amount (1 mL) and complete dry, adequate amount and incomplete dry (15 seconds rubbing and no air-dry), and inadequate amount and incomplete dry. The difference was statistically significant in the adequate amount and complete dry group compared to other three groups (p<.001).

Conclusion

Only alcohol gel hand hygiene with adequate amount and complete drying was satisfactory by U.S. FDA-TFM efficacy requirements for antiseptic hand hygiene products.

Figures and Tables

Figure 1
Research design.
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Figure 2
Box and whisker plots of antimicrobial effect of four types 62% alcohols gel hand hygiene methods.
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Table 1
Baseline and Residual Bacterial Density among Four Types of 62% Alcohol Gel Hand Hygiene Method
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*By one-way ANOVA test; Difference was statistically significant between a and b, c, d by Scheffe post-hoc analysis.

Table 2
Comparison of Antimicrobial Effect of Four Types of 62% Alcohol Gel Hand Hygiene Method
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*By one-way ANOVA test with Scheffe post-hoc analysis; Difference was significant between a and b, c, d (p<.001) and between b and d (p=.026).

Table 3
Antimicrobial Effect of 62% Alcohol Gels with Different Amount, Rubbing Time, and Drying Time
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*By student t-test.

Notes

This manuscript is a condensed form of the first author's master's thesis from University of Ulsan.

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