Table 2 Hand hygiene: materials and efficacy

Mode of action

Detergent effect and mechanical friction

Cationic bisguanide, disrupts cell membranes

Disrupts membranes, denatures proteins, cell lysis

Reduction of bacterial load on hands

0.6 to 1.1 log₁₀ CFU

2.1 to 3.0 log₁₀ CFU; has persistent residual antiseptic activity on the skin which may last up to 30 min.

3.2 to 5.8 log₁₀ CFU

Effective against

Dirt, organic material

Gram-positive cocci

Gram-positive cocci, gram-negative bacilli, mycobacterium tuberculosis, fungi, viruses

Less effective against

Gram-negative bacilli, fungi and viruses, mycobacteria, spore forming bacteria such as Clostridium difficile

Clostridium difficile,

Hepatitis A, rotavirus, enteroviruses, adenovirus, spores

Comments

Trauma caused by frequent skin washing may lead to chapping of skin and shedding of resistant flora

Optimal antimicrobial activity at concentration of 60–90%