Antimicrobial Efficacy of An Alcohol-Based Hand Cleanser

Objective: Evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of traditional hand washing vs. an alcohol-based hand cleanser.

Methods: Two experienced dentists participated over a ten-day period. Days 1 - 5, each clinician used an approved antibacterial liquid soap (Dial®). Days 6 - 10, an approved alcohol-based hand cleanser (TriSeptin™) was used. Sampling was by modified glove juice technique. Each participant was sampled four times per day. Days 6-10, sample 1 was collected as above, following the use of the alcohol-based hand cleanser (2), immediately following de-gloving (3) and after a final use of the cleanser (4). Each participant immersed their hand in a sterile polyethylene bag containing 50 mL of Tryptic Soy Broth and massaged for a total of one minute. The media was placed in a sterile 50 mL tube, labeled, placed on ice, and analyzed in the laboratory. 100 µL of sample was plated on Tryptic Soy Agar with 5% Sheep Blood as 1:3 dilutions, incubated at 37oC in 5% CO2 for 24 hours and the bacterial numbers (CFUs) determined.

Results: Soap and water hand washing exhibited variable results. In contrast, the alcohol based hand cleanser exhibited a marked difference in its effectiveness. Pre-wash (1) for participants A and B were 198,429 and 63,337 CFUs/mL respectively. Post-wash (2) exhibited a decrease in CFU's/mL to 23,387 or 88% from sample 1 for participant A and 13,592 CFU's/mL or 78.6% for participant B. Participant A, de-glove (3) decreased to 4,365 CFU's/mL or 98% from sample 2 and the final wash (4) to 2,650 CFU's/mL or 99%. Participant B exhibited 0 CFUs/mL, a 100% decrease for samples 3 and 4.

Conclusion: The use of an alcohol-based hand cleanser demonstrated greater antimicrobial efficacy when compared to traditional hand washing in the general dental setting. Funding Source: Healthpoint Surgical, 3909 Hulen St., Fort Worth, Texas 78107.