Comparative antibacterial efficacy of a 2-minute surgical scrub with chlorhexidine gluconate, povidone-iodine, and chloroxylenol sponge-brushes.

Chlorhexidine gluconate (Hibiclens), povidone-iodine (E-Z Scrub 201), and chloroxylenol (ParaSoft) sponge-brushes were compared for antibacterial efficacy in 2-minute surgical scrubs. Thirty-nine volunteers completed a 7-day baseline period and a 5-day treatment period. Thirteen participants were assigned to a chlorhexidine group, 12 to a povidone-iodine group, and 14 to a chloroxylenol group. Subjects followed a standardized protocol, performing 11 scrubs during the treatment period. Bacterial counts were taken by the glove-juice procedure immediately after scrubbing and at 3 and 6 hours later on days 1, 2, and 5. The use of chlorhexidine achieved significantly (p less than 0.01) greater adjusted mean log10 bacterial count reductions than did povidone-iodine and chloroxylenol at all sampling times, with greater reductions as the study progressed.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes