Comparison of Hand Antiseptic Effects and Costs of 0.5 w/v% Chlorhexidine Gluconate/Ethanol Lotion and 4 w/v% Chlorhexidine Gluconate Scrub

Abstract

  Preoperative hand washing is normally based on scrubbing with 4% chlorhexidine gluconate, but the Guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) nows recommends waterless methods using quick-drying antiseptics. Therefore, hand antiseptic effects and costs were compared between a 0.5 w/v% chlorhexidine gluconate/ethanol lotion preparation and 4 w/v% chlorhexidine gluconate by the glove juice method in 22 nurses. No significant difference was observed in antiseptic effects between the two agents immediately and 3 hours after hand washing, but the ethanol-based preparation was more cost effective.