BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was evaluating the microbial flora of nurses' healthy (n = 30) and damaged hand (n = 30) by frequent handwashing and/or wearing of gloves. METHODS: Hand cultures were obtained both before and after washing hands with nonantimicrobial soap, through the sterile polyethylene bag method. RESULTS: The bacteria counts of the hands of professionals with damaged hands were higher than those with healthy hands, and those with damaged hands presented higher frequency of Staphylococcus aureus, 16.7% versus 10%; gram-negative bacteria, 20% versus 6.7%; and yeast, 26.7% versus 20%, respectively, as well as the sum of these microorganisms. The presence of Staphylococcus haemolyticus was only seen in nurses with damaged hands (P = .02), and enterococci were not recovered from the hands of any volunteer. The presence of antimicrobial-resistant S aureus and gram-negative bacteria was also greater among damaged hands. CONCLUSION: The irritation caused on the skin by frequent washing and/or wearing of gloves is associated with changes in hands microbial flora, and their potential risks should be considered when institutions/users are selecting products/formulations to assure hands skin health and consequent compliance with their own hygiene procedures.
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was evaluating the microbial flora of nurses' healthy (n = 30) and damaged hand (n = 30) by frequent handwashing and/or wearing of gloves. METHODS: Hand cultures were obtained both before and after washing hands with nonantimicrobial soap, through the sterile polyethylene bag method. RESULTS: The bacteria counts of the hands of professionals with damaged hands were higher than those with healthy hands, and those with damaged hands presented higher frequency of Staphylococcus aureus, 16.7% versus 10%; gram-negative bacteria, 20% versus 6.7%; and yeast, 26.7% versus 20%, respectively, as well as the sum of these microorganisms. The presence of Staphylococcus haemolyticus was only seen in nurses with damaged hands (P = .02), and enterococci were not recovered from the hands of any volunteer. The presence of antimicrobial-resistant S aureus and gram-negative bacteria was also greater among damaged hands. CONCLUSION: The irritation caused on the skin by frequent washing and/or wearing of gloves is associated with changes in hands microbial flora, and their potential risks should be considered when institutions/users are selecting products/formulations to assure hands skin health and consequent compliance with their own hygiene procedures.
Authors: Camila Quartim de Moraes Bruna; Rafael Queiroz de Souza; Irineu Francisco Silva Massaia; Áurea Silveira Cruz; Kazuko Uchikawa Graziano Journal: Rev Lat Am Enfermagem Date: 2016-10-10
Authors: B Dréno; E Araviiskaia; E Berardesca; G Gontijo; M Sanchez Viera; L F Xiang; R Martin; T Bieber Journal: J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol Date: 2016-10-13 Impact factor: 6.166
Authors: Rosa M Pacheco-Gonzalez; Javier Mallol; Dirceu Solé; Paul L P Brand; Virginia Perez-Fernandez; Manuel Sanchez-Solis; Luis Garcia-Marcos Journal: NPJ Prim Care Respir Med Date: 2016-01-21 Impact factor: 2.871