[Usability of three alcohols for a standard disinfection method to be employed for the evaluation of procedures for the hygienic disinfection of hands (author's transl)].

Abstract

Following a former suggestion (4) always to evaluate, the efficacy of procedures for Hygienic disinfection of hands in comparison with the results of a certain standard disinfection method, Ethanol, iso- and n-Propanol were tested in various concentrations and for various times of action on their usability in such a standard method. The disinfecting power was dependent upon (i) the alcohol (Ethanol less than iso-Propanol less than n-Propanol), (ii) the concentration (Ethanol: 60 less than 70 less than 80% ml/ml, iso-Propanol: 50 less than 60 less than 70, n-Propanol: 40 less than 50 less than 60 = 70) and (iii) the time of action (0,5 less than 1 less than 2 min). n-Propanol proved to be the fastest acting disinfectant. However, as standard disinfection method iso-Propanol (60% ml/ml) being used for 1 min has been proposed. Furthermore, the following results that have been obtained also in former investigations (8) could be confirmed: (i) there is no systematic difference between the release of test-bacteria from the fingertips of right and left hands of test-persons (ii). The efficacy of procedures for Hygienic disinfection of hands is besides other factors influenced by the testpersons. This factor may be eliminated by using the same testpersons for both, the disinfection procedure under investigation and the standard method. The results of both may, then, be related to each other and the efficacy of the former may be evaluated in comparison to the latter.