A Comparative Environmental Investigation of Surgeonsʼ Skin Germicides

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Abstract
A comparative environmental study of 3 surgeons'' skin germicides is presented. The data were assembled in 5 major categories which included comparison of sampling methods, mechanics of degermation, rate of bacterial restoration relevant to length of operating time, comparison of selected vs. unselected personnel regarding the efficacy of the 3 skin germicides tested and a control comparative evaluation of the soap vehicles with and without the germicidal ingredient. Serial basin technic of bacterial sampling is still the most accurate means of assessing surface flora on the surgeon''s hands. Regardless of scrub time or germicide employed a degermation plateau of approximately 80% reduction is attained by the surgical scrub prior to gloving. Despite the many variables inherent in an environmental study little differentiation of significance could be established between the 3 skin germicides tested. Restoration to the level of the post-scrub count of skin flora is complete after approximately 2 1/2 hours inside surgeons'' gloves regardless of scrub technic or skin germicide preparation employed.