1 research outputs found
Original Article - Comparison of traditional hand wash with alcoholic hand rub in ICU setup
Background: Nosocomial infection rate are often higher for intensive
care unit (ICU) than other units of hospitals, and hands of health-care
workers (HCWs) play a major role in the transmission of the infections.
Aim: To compare the efficacy of conventional hand wash with the hand
rub in reducing the transient bacterial flora on the hands of nurses in
ICU. Subject and Methods: The 34 nurses posted in our ICU during
January-March 2003 were included. A total of 204 samples were collected
for the residual bacterial flora on fingers using impression method on
MacConkey agar plates. The subjects then used alcoholic hand rub or
conventional hand wash and the residual bacterial flora rechecked by
testing impression of fingers on MacConkey agar. Results: Escherichia
coli, Klebsiella spp., nonlactose fermenting Gram-negative bacilli,
staphylococci, and streptococci formed the transient bacterial flora on
the hands. Moderate to heavy bacterial density was seen in more than
92.2% of the hands before washing or hand rub application. Conventional
hand wash resulted in drastic reduction in the transient bacterial
flora on hands in 50% cases whereas alcoholic hand rub achieved the
effect in 95% of the samples. Conclusion: Compared with conventional
hand wash, alcoholic hand rub is far more efficient in reducing
transient bacterial flora on the hands of HCWs and it is more
convenient and time saving. It is recommended as a hand hygiene
practice in critical areas such as ICU