Hand Cleansing with Antimicrobial Soap

Gel on Microbial Colonization of Artificial Fingernails Worn

Part I: Introduction

The purpose of the proposed study is to examine differences in microflora found on the nails of health care workers (HCWs) wearing artificial nails and the nails of HCWs with natural nails, assessing the effect on these microflora of hand cleansing with one of two preparations (i.e., antimicrobial soap or alcohol-based gel). The use of artificial acrylic fingernails has become popular over the last several years (Porteous, 2002). Artificial nails are known to harbor microbes and they cannot be cleaned as effectively as short, natural nails. Nevertheless, artificial nails are frequently worn by health care workers, even though the use of artificial nails is officially banned by organizations such as the Association of Operation Room Nurses (McNeil, Foster, Hedderwick, & Kauffman, 2001).

Hand washing remains the most effective and least expensive method to prevent the transmission of nosocomial infections (Wynd, Samstag, & Lapp, 1994). However, even after thorough hand cleansing, the fingernails in general, and the subungual region in particular, harbor a greater number of microorganisms than are found in other areas of the hand. This particular area is often neglected during routine hand washing (Wynd, et al, 1994). Alcohol formulations are widely used in Europe as an alternative

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icial nails should be restricted in certain health care settings. The research by McNeil, et al (2001) also compared differences in differences in microflora on the fingernails of HCWs wearing artificial nails with control HCWs with native fingernails. It also compared the results of hand cleansing with antimicrobial soap versus an alcohol-based gel. The research revealed that before cleansing with soap, some 86 percent of HCWs with artificial nails had a pathogen (gram-negative bacilli, staphylococcus aureus or yeasts) isolated compared with 35 percent of controls. A similar difference was noted before hand cleansing with gel. Significantly, more HCWs with artificial nails than controls had pathogens remaining after hand cleansing with either soap or gel. However, of HCWs with artificial nails, only 11 percent cleared pathogens with soap compared with 38 percent with gel. Of the control of native fingernail HCWs, only 14 percent cleared pathogens with soap compared to 80 percent who cleared pathogens with gel. McNeil, et al (2001) therefore concluded that artificial acrylic fingernails could contribute to the transmission of pathogens and their use by HCWs should be discouraged. Thus, the literature briefly re
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 4015
Approximate Pages = 16 (250 words per page)

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