The Bacteriology of Normal Skin; A New Quantitative Test Applied to a Study ofthe Bacterial Flora and the Disinfectant Action of Mechanical Cleansing

Hand Hygiene

“…In 1938, Price 63 established that bacteria recovered from the hands could be divided into two categories, namely resident or transient. The resident flora (resident microbiota) consists of microorganisms residing under the superficial cells of the stratum corneum and can also be found on the surface of the skin.…”

“…77 Total bacterial counts on the hands of HCWs have ranged from 3.9 x 10 4 to 4.6 x 10 6 CFU/cm 2 . 63,[78][79][80] Fingertip contamination ranged from 0 to 300 CFU when sampled by agar contact methods. 72 Price and subsequent investigators documented that although the count of transient and resident flora varies considerably among individuals, it is often relatively constant for any given individual.…”

“…72 Price and subsequent investigators documented that although the count of transient and resident flora varies considerably among individuals, it is often relatively constant for any given individual. 63,81 6.…”

“…Early quantitative studies of the effects of antiseptic handrubs established that alcohols effectively reduce bacterial counts on hands. 63,288,292,299 Typically, log reductions of the release of test bacteria from artificially contaminated hands average 3.5 log 10 after a 30-second application, and 4.0-5.0 log 10 after a 1-minute application. 48 In 1994, the FDA TFM classified ethanol 60-95% as a generally safe and effective active agent for use in antiseptic hand hygiene or HCW handwash products.…”

“…), Corynebacteria, and yeasts. 63,534,970 Freshly applied nail polish does not increase the number of bacteria recovered from periungual skin, but chipped nail polish may support the growth of larger numbers of organisms on fingernails. 971,972 Even after careful handwashing or surgical scrubs, HCWs often harbour substantial numbers of potential pathogens in the subungual spaces.…”