Effectiveness and Microbial Contamination of an In-house Alcohol-Based Hand Rub
Suwanna Trakoolsomboon Ph D*, Kanchana Kachintorn RN***, Rachada Cherdrungsi MSc***, Kantima Sangsirivuthi MSc**, Chanwit Tribuddharat MD**, Somwang Danchaivijitr MD*
Affiliation : *Department of Medicine, **Department of Microbiology, ***Center for Nosocomial Infection Control, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok
Objectives : To evaluate the effectiveness and contamination of an in-house alcohol-based hand rub in a real
clinical setting and to compare its effectiveness in bacterial reduction with that of a commercial product.
Materials and Methods : Effectiveness of the hand rub in bacterial reduction was compared to a commercial
product using the modified antiseptic/disinfectant testing method of European Standard (EN 1500) in 12
volunteers. In-house alcohol-based hand rub in 50 clinical wards were serially collected and cultured to
determine contamination.
Results : The bacterial reduction factor of the hand rub was comparable to that of the commercial product.
There was no organisms grown from serial cultures of the in-house alcohol-based hand rub in use for 28 days.
Conclusion : The in-house alcohol-based hand rub was effective and there was no contamination up to 28
days in use.
Keywords : Effectiveness, Contamination, Alcohol-based hand rub
