Abstract

DOTTO, Patrícia Pasquali et al. Effectiveness of two methods of hands degermation. Rev. cir. traumatol. buco-maxilo-fac. [online]. 2015, vol.15, n.3, pp. 07-14. ISSN 1808-5210.

ABSTRACT Hand washing reduces the amount of skin bacteria, thus contributing to reducing infection rates. There are several techniques for hand washing and the health professional should choose the most appropriate one. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effectiveness of surgical hands and forearms washing made with brush impregnated with 2% chlorhexidine, compared with the friction method of hands and forearms with liquid soap containing 2% chlorhexidine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed tip of the thumb and index finger, palm and forearm from 40 students of Dentistry from UNIFRA. The first protocol antisepsis was performed with a brush impregnated with 2% chlorhexidine, and seven days later, the same participants washed their hands with soap containing 2% chlorhexidine. The samples were collected in plates containing Blood Agar Base, identified and taken to the microbiology laboratory. RESULTS:The method of rubbing the soap containing 2% chlorhexidine performed better. CONCLUSION: Hand hygiene by friction method with soap containing 2% chlorhexidine is more effective than the one performed with brush impregnated with 2% chlorhexidine, suggesting a faster, effective and less costly presurgical hand preparation.

Keywords : Hand Disinfection; Chlorhexidine; Surgical Procedures Operative..