re: 1) what is the relative effect of hand cleansing with antimicrobial soap and alcohol-based gels on microflora found on artificial fingernails? 2) Do artificial worn by HCWs harbor more potentially dangerous organisms before and after cleansing than do natural nails?
The study is significant in that a wide range and variety of research studies have strongly suggested that artificial fingernails worn by HCWs are more likely to harbor pathogens, especially gram-negative bacilli and yeasts, than native nails (Hedderwick, McNeil, Lyons, & Kauffman, 2000). Additionally, studies have suggested that infections transmitted via artificial fingernails worn by HCWs are associated with higher levels of life-threatening infections among patients in such diverse settings as trauma units, neonatal units, intensive care units, and recovery rooms for surgical patients (Moolenaar, Crutcher, San Joaquin, Sewell, Hutwagner, Carson, Robison, Smithee, & Jarvis, 2000).
This introduction has identified the problem to be addressed in the proposed research, the purpose of the study and key research questions. It has further delineated the importance of the study. Given that artificial nails are frequently worn by HCWs and that over $265 million is spent every year on acrylic nails and related products and their application in the U.S. (McNeil, et al 2001), the proposed study is necessary and significant.
To examine the literature on the extent of artificial nail use among HCWs, the effects of such nails in the health care environment, and alternative methods of cleansing artificial and natural nails, an extensive review of relevant literature was undertaken. Such electronic databases as Medscape, Medline, EBSCO, Gale, search engines like Google and Teoma, and the Center for Disease Control Web site were used to identify relevant resources for the study. Key search terms included: microflora, artificial fingernails, microgel, and infect...