Hand Use Antiseptics

Healthcare Personnel Handwash & Handrub

Nelson Labs Bozeman has been closely involved in the development and refinement of the health care personnel handwash and health care personnel handrub testing methods used to evaluate handwash and handrub products for health care personnel.

The general concept of the test is to determine how effectively handwash and handrub products can eliminate transient, contaminative bacteria from the hands. Either Serratia marcescens (S. marcescens) or Escherichia coli (E. coli) generally serves in the role of the transient, contaminative bacteria. Broth suspensions of the organisms are applied to the hands of the test subjects, after which the test product is applied. Other organisms may be used per a sponsor’s request.

Along with testing the testing of the product’s ability to eliminate the challenge microorganism, a skin irritation assessment evaluates the effect of the product on the test subject’s skin.

Surgical Scrub

Surgical scrub formulations are designed to remove both the transient microorganism population as well as a large proportion of the normal flora of the hands. In order to be considered effective, surgical scrub formulations must demonstrate both immediate and persistent antimicrobial effectiveness (up to six hours post scrub). Additionally, some surgical scrub formulations may demonstrate an accumulative residual effect by becoming a more effective antimicrobial with repeated use over time due to the active ingredients being attached directly onto the surface of the skin.

Subjects will use the product over the course of a few days, and the effect on their hands will be tested using our glove juice sampling method. Samples will be taken immediately on test day as well as at 6- and even 12-hour timepoints, if needed.

Test Codes

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