Comparison of the antiseptic effect of two Iodophor preparations on hand washing in a well-baby nursery.

Two iodophor preparations, Betadine and Prepodyne, used as handwashing antiseptics in two well-baby nurseries, were compared. A total of 1,806 cultures were evaluated. They were taken a) from nurses' hands after washing with either of the products to determine the effectiveness in removing bacteria from the skin suface, b) from the babies' umbilicuses to assess the level of colonization of the infants' skin surfaces to which nurses were exposed during infant bathing, and c) from the nurses' hands immediately after completion of the babies' bathing routine. The results obtained indicated that the products are equally effective in eliminating bacteria in a routine handwashing procedure in similar circumstances. Both presented a comparable skin drying effect after repeated exposures and did not lead to any allergic reaction in the present trial.