Hand hygiene in peritoneal dialysis patients: a comparison of two techniques.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Hand hygiene is essential for preventing peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related infections. The present study compared the effectiveness of two hygiene techniques in reducing the number of colony-forming units (CFUs) on the hands of patients undergoing PD. METHODS: In this controlled clinical trial, 22 participants enrolled in the same PD program underwent a two-hand evaluation for microbiologic flora. Participants participated in two treatments: a) simple hand hygiene plus antiseptic hand hygiene, in which the patients washed their hands with water and glycerin soap for 1 minute and then rubbed and dried their hands with 70% ethyl alcohol gel; and b) antiseptic hand hygiene, in which the patients rubbed their hands with 70% ethyl alcohol gel until fully dry. To sample distal finger surfaces, we asked the participants to touch sheep blood agar plates directly. RESULTS: The CFU count for both hands was significantly higher in the regular hygiene group than in the gel-only group [69.0 (16.0 - 101.0) CFU vs 9.0 (2.2 - 55.5) CFU, p < 0.010]. Growth of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus colonies was significantly higher in right-hand cultures from the regular hygiene group than in those from the gel-only group [69.5 (26.25 - 101.0) CFU vs 9.5 (1.0 - 41.7) CFU; p < 0.050]. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients undergoing PD, using 70% ethyl alcohol gel to cleanse the hands may be more effective than following the regular hygiene recommendations in reducing bacterial populations.

Comparação entre duas técnicas de higienização das mãos em pacientes de diálise peritoneal / Comparison of two hand hygiene techniques in peritoneal dialysis patients

INTRODUÇÃO: A higienização das mãos é um importante procedimento para a prevenção de infecções relacionadas à diálise peritoneal. OBJETIVO: Comparar a eficácia de duas técnicas de higienização das mãos na redução do número de unidades formadoras de colônia em pacientes em programa de diálise peritoneal. MATERIAIS E MÉTODO: Ensaio Clínico controlado. Trinta indivíduos submetidos a três coletas da flora microbiológica das mãos, em três momentos distintos: antes e após higienização das mãos com água e sabão glicerinado; após aplicação de álcool-gel etílico glicerinado a 70%. Culturas obtidas da superfície dos dedos das mãos, diretamente em placas de Agar Sangue de Carneiro. RESULTADOS: O crescimento médio nas culturas foi 31, 30 e 12 unidades formadoras de colônia antes da higienização, após a lavagem com água e sabão glicerinado e após a fricção com álcool gel, respectivamente (p < 0, 001). Staphyloccocus epidermidis ou Estafilococo coagulase-negativo foi o germe predominante, presente em 93,7% das placas. CONCLUSÃO: A higienização com álcool gel produziu maior redução no número de unidades formadoras de colônia.

INTRODUCTION: Hand hygiene is an important procedure in preventing peritoneal dialysis-related infections. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of two distinct techniques for hand hygiene in reducing the number of colony-forming units in patients on peritoneal dialysis. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Controlled clinical trial. Thirty patients underwent three collections of microbiological flora from the hands in three different instances: before and after hand washing with glycerin soap and water, and after rubbing 70% glycerin gel-alcohol. Cultures were obtained by applying the fingers surface directly on agar-blood plates. RESULTS: Cultures mean growth were 31, 30 e 12 colony-forming units prior to washing, after washing with glycerin soap and water, and following gel-alcohol, respectively (p < 0.001). Staphylococcus epidermidis was the predominant germ in culture, occurring in 93.7% of seeded plates. CONCLUSION: Hand rubbing with gel-alcohol was more effective in reducing the number of colonies recovered than the other methods.

[Comparison of two hand hygiene techniques in peritoneal dialysis patients]. / Comparação entre duas técnicas de higienização das mãos em pacientes de diálise peritoneal.

INTRODUCTION: Hand hygiene is an important procedure in preventing peritoneal dialysis-related infections. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of two distinct techniques for hand hygiene in reducing the number of colony-forming units in patients on peritoneal dialysis. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Controlled clinical trial. Thirty patients underwent three collections of microbiological flora from the hands in three different instances: before and after hand washing with glycerin soap and water, and after rubbing 70% glycerin gel-alcohol. Cultures were obtained by applying the fingers surface directly on agar-blood plates. RESULTS: Cultures mean growth were 31, 30 e 12 colony-forming units prior to washing, after washing with glycerin soap and water, and following gel-alcohol, respectively (p < 0.001). Staphylococcus epidermidis was the predominant germ in culture, occurring in 93.7% of seeded plates. CONCLUSION: Hand rubbing with gel-alcohol was more effective in reducing the number of colonies recovered than the other methods.

[Agrochemicals and human health: contributions of healthcare professionals]. / Agrotóxicos e saúde humana: contribuição dos profissionais do campo da saúde.

This paper focuses on the scientific production of health professionals, especially nurses, about agrochemicals and human health. The essay combines and presents information by means of literature review, with a view to acknowledge the contribution of each author and their use for the human health field. Thirty-two research articles, published in Brazilian journals, were located. The analysis of these articles highlights that healthcare professionals' contributions focus on human health, especially, workers' health and food quality. With a view to minimize the effects from agrochemicals on human and environmental health, the authors exposes action suggestions both for health professionals and for the institutions associated.

Agrotóxicos e saúde humana: contribuição dos profissionais do campo da saúde: [revisão] / Agrochemicals and human health: contributions of healthcare professionals: [review] / Agrotóxicos y salud humana: contribución de los profesionales de la salud: [revisión]

Focaliza a produção científica dos profissionais da saúde, em especial das enfermeiras, sobre o tema agrotóxico e saúde humana. O ensaio reúne e apresenta informações por meio de pesquisa bibliográfica, procurando reconhecer a contribuição de cada autor e sua utilidade para o campo da saúde humana. Foram localizados 32 artigos de pesquisa publicados em periódicos brasileiros. A análise dos artigos destaca que a contribuição dos profissionais de saúde é focada na saúde humana - especialmente na saúde do trabalhador e na qualidade dos alimentos. No intuito de minimizar os efeitos dos agrotóxicos para a saúde ambiental e humana, os autores expõem sugestões de ação, tanto para os profissionais da saúde como para os órgãos competentes.

This paper focuses on the scientific production of health professionals, especially nurses, about agrochemicals and human health. The essay combines and presents information by means of literature review, with a view to acknowledge the contribution of each author and their use for the human health field. Thirty-two research articles, published in Brazilian journals, were located. The analysis of these articles highlights that healthcare professionals' contributions focus on human health, especially, workers' health and food quality. With a view to minimize the effects from agrochemicals on human and environmental health, the authors exposes action suggestions both for health professionals and for the institutions associated.

Enfocase la producción científica de los profesionales de la salud, en especial de las enfermeras, sobre el tema agrotóxico y salud humana. El ensayo agrupa y muestra informaciones a través de la investigación bibliográfica, con el objetivo de reconocer la contribución de cada autor y la utilidad para el campo de la salud humana. Fueron encontrados 32 artículos de investigación, publicados en periódicos brasileños. El análisis destaca que la contribución de los profesionales de salud es dirigida a la salud humana, específicamente en las áreas de salud del trabajador y calidad de los alimentos. Los autores brindan recomendaciones tanto para los profesionales de la salud, como para los organismos competentes con la finalidad de disminuir los efectos de los agrotóxicos para la salud ambiental y humana.