Abstract

HAND HYGIENE ASSESSMENT OF PHARMACY STAFF

Veszelits Lakticová K., Vargová M. and *Zigo F.

ABSTRACT

Disinfection of the hands of healthcare professionals and pharmacists is one of the most important ways of prevention. Presence of microorganisms on the hands of pharmacists working in pharmacy mean a risk in terms of transmission of nosocomial diseases. Today, only original packages of disinfectants are used. Alcohol disinfectants with a rapid effect on bacteria and viruses are often used on the skin. Skinman Soft Protect is a liquid, with concentrated alcohol formulation intended for disinfecting hands and skin used by pharmaceutical staff in an evaluated pharmacy. The study is focused on the assessment of the hygienic level of the hands of selected employees working in the pharmacy using the fingerprint method. The fingerprint method was performed on the evaluated employees before as well as after washing the hands with soap and after disinfecting the hands on solid agar medium in a Petri dish. From solid agars was used Meat peptone agare, Endo agar which were evaluated after 24 hours cultivation at 37 °C. In our study found out, disinfectant Skinman Soft Protect which was used in concentrated form was effective on hands at all evaluated persons with exception a trainee with whom we detected after disinfection of the right hand 185 CFU of total numbers of microorganisms and 15 CFU of coliform bacteria. After disinfection of the left hand, 50 CFU of total numbers of microorganisms and 5 CFU of coliform bacteria were detected. Based on our results obtained in practical conditions it can be presented following that washing and subsequent disinfection of hands in pharmaceutical workers is a simple but at the same time the most important clinical procedure. Appropriate selection of disinfectant and proper technique of washing hand disinfection has its justification in terms of prevention of transmission of nosocomial infections.

Keywords: Hands, disinfection, Skinman Soft Protect, employees, pharmacy.