More hygienic than soap and water
August 1st 2011 Research conducted by Diversey has demonstrated the infection
control, occupational health and cost saving benefits of cleaning
patients in care homes and hospitals with disposable wipes instead
of traditional soap and water.
The new disposable Soft Care Body Wash Gloves are
manufactured from non-woven synthetic fibres and are shaped like
a glove.The active ingredient is a blend of surfactants impregnated
into the wipe which remains safe and gentle for
the patient and carer during prolonged
contact.
The trials conducted by Diversey during
2009/10 measured the amount of
contamination at the test site to provide a
benchmark before the introduction of the new
wipes.This included taking bacteriological
samples from hard surfaces and wash basins.
All samples were tested by an independent
laboratory to provide an accurate measure of
contamination levels.
The study found that water became heavily contaminated with
bacteria when washing patients with soap and water.This
contamination can be transferred to otherwise uninfected patients
and clean surfaces by water splashes and spills or when carers
inadvertently touch surfaces with their hands as they move around
a ward after using a cloth.
A separate laboratory test measured the amount of bacteria on
hands after washing a patient with water and with a wash wipe.This
showed that the wipes left almost no trace of bacteria on the hands
whereas hands used for washing patients with water were heavily
contaminated.
The second part of the study investigated the ergonomic and
efficiency benefits of the wipes over soap and water using a range
of industry-standard measurement techniques.The average time
needed to wash each patient with soap and water was 15 minutes.
However, with the wipes the average wash time was 12 minutes,
largely because the patient is wiped once
and there is no need to rinse or dry them.
The occupational health benefits for
carers was also studied.The carers were
found to make fewer movements when
washing patients with a wipe and spent
30% less time each hour bending over
more than 20° and 27% less time raising
their arms more than 20°.
The final stage of the study assessed the
potential cost savings of switching to Soft
Care Body Wash Gloves.With wet washing each patient required a
bowl with four litres of water, one towel, three wash cloths, personal
soap and a pair of disposable latex gloves for the carer.With the
new washing method each patient required a pack of five wipes,
the occasional use of a towel and a pair of disposable latex gloves
for the carer. Switching to Soft Care Body Wash Gloves therefore
helps eliminate the purchase costs of all the hand cloths, soap and
most towels as well as the running costs associated with supplying
and heating water and laundering
the hand cloths and towels. More articles from Diversey UK Limited: | 
