Twenty surgical staff members participated in a clinical trial to compare the microbiology and
skin condition of hands when using a traditional surgical scrub (TSS) with a detergent-based
antiseptic containing 4% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) and a short application without
scrub of a waterless hand preparation (HP) containing 61% ethyl alcohol, 1% CHG, and
emollients. The HP was associated with less skin damage (P=. 002) and lower microbial
counts postscrub at days five (P=. 002) and 19 (P=. 02). The HP protocol had shorter contact …