Ineffectiveness of handwashing with lotion soap to remove nosocomial bacterial pathogens persisting on fingertips: a major link in their intrahospital spread

Edward J Bottone; Mark Cheng; Saul Hymes

doi:10.1086/502388

Ineffectiveness of handwashing with lotion soap to remove nosocomial bacterial pathogens persisting on fingertips: a major link in their intrahospital spread

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2004 Mar;25(3):262-4. doi: 10.1086/502388.

Authors

Edward J Bottone¹, Mark Cheng, Saul Hymes

Affiliation

¹ Division of Infectious Diseases, The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY 10029, USA.

PMID: 15061420
DOI: 10.1086/502388

Abstract

The effectiveness of five 30-second handwashes with a non-antiseptic lotion soap to remove nosocomial pathogens (10(8) CFU) applied to fingertips was studied. CFU for all species dropped rapidly after the first handwash; persistence (10 to 15 CFU) was maintained thereafter. Wiping hands with an antiseptic (70% isopropyl or 10% povidone-iodine) sponge removed persisters.

MeSH terms

Alcohols / therapeutic use
Anti-Infective Agents, Local / administration & dosage
Colony Count, Microbial
Cross Infection / prevention & control*
Fingers / microbiology*
Hand / microbiology
Hand Disinfection / methods*
Humans
Personnel, Hospital*
Soaps / administration & dosage*
Soaps / standards
Time

Substances

Alcohols
Anti-Infective Agents, Local
Soaps