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

Edward J. Bottone, Mark Cheng, Saul Hymes

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

The effectiveness of five 30-second handwashes with a non-antiseptic lotion soap to remove nosocomial pathogens (10⁸ 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.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	262-264
Number of pages	3
Journal	Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
Volume	25
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1086/502388
State	Published - Mar 2004

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title = "Ineffectiveness of Handwashing with Lotion Soap to Remove Nosocomial Bacterial Pathogens Persisting on Fingertips: A Major Link in Their Intrahospital Spread",

abstract = "The effectiveness of five 30-second handwashes with a non-antiseptic lotion soap to remove nosocomial pathogens (108 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.",

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AB - The effectiveness of five 30-second handwashes with a non-antiseptic lotion soap to remove nosocomial pathogens (108 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.

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Ineffectiveness of Handwashing with Lotion Soap to Remove Nosocomial Bacterial Pathogens Persisting on Fingertips: A Major Link in Their Intrahospital Spread

Abstract

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