Photography: Ann Jaber
An estimated two million patients develop hospital-acquired infections in the United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About 90,000 of these patients die as a result of their infections.
Bacteria that cause hospital-acquired infections are most easily spread from one patient to another by the contaminated hands of health care workers. Health care workers can acquire tens of thousands of germs on their hands by performing routine tasks such as taking a blood pressure or pulse or touching a patient’s hand or equipment like bedside rails, over-bed tables and IV pumps.
Cleaning hands before and after coming into contact with patients is one of the most important measures for preventing the spread of bacteria. However, studies have shown that many health care workers do not wash their hands when recommended because they are too busy, sinks are not easily accessible or their skin becomes irritated from frequent use of soap and water.
“When medical staff is busiest, like those in intensive-care units, hand washing tends to lose its proper priority,” said Dr. James P. Chambers, a professor of biochemistry with the University of Texas at San Antonio. “Part of the problem is that doctors and nurses are lulled into a false sense of cleanliness due to the daily routine of washing their hands multiple times.”
Many of these workers opt for alcohol-based sanitizers instead of traditional hand washing with soap and water with the misconception that using a liquid hand sanitizer on dirty hands will clean their hands. According to the CDC, the use of alcohol-based hand antiseptics (hand sanitizers) does not replace the need for frequent and proper hand washing.
In addition, many alcohol-based hand antiseptics have been shown to be ineffective against bacterial spores, as well as viruses such as the norovirus, the agent responsible for short-term, but acute gastric and stomach flu-like symptoms.
Recognizing the need for an effective alternative to hand washing, a San Antonio-based company developed an innovative hand-cleaning product for use by the general public, as well as health care providers.
A sanitizing wipe was developed by the Kleenhanz® team for protection against commonly encountered germs, bacteria and viruses. The wipe utilizes active ingredients that include two quaternary compounds (detergents) rather than the traditional methods of ethyl and isopropyl alcohol.
“We spent years developing the Kleenhanz® hand-sanitizing wipe,” Chambers said. “This wipe is really extraordinary because it cleans as well as sanitizes, providing lasting germ-killing protection.”
Kleenhanz® is alcohol-free and kills 99.99 percent of germs on contact through the use of antimicrobial and hypoallergenic agents benzethonium chloride and benzalkonium chloride with lanolin and aloe to moisturize the skin.
Although designed solely as a hand-sanitizing wipe, Kleenhanz® wipes have been used to provide a supposed protective barrier on surfaces such as door handles, over-bed trays/tables, wheelchair handles, keyboards and medical equipment.
One large health care facility currently using Kleenhanz® is the San Antonio Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital.
“By incorporating Kleenhanz® into our hand hygiene program, we give Warm Springs’ patients and staff members an additional element of protection against germs, bacteria and viruses,” said Warm Springs Clinical Services Coordinator Ann L. Jaber. “Convenience is also key, and we really like that the wipes clean hands and surfaces alike.”
In order to effectively protect against germs, viruses and bacteria, all health care providers should practice a regimented hand hygiene program. According to the CDC, hand washing at key points in time helps disrupt the transmission of microorganisms to patients after contact with blood, body fluids and contaminated surfaces (even if gloves are worn), before invasive procedures and patient contact and after removing gloves.
Thorough hand washing with soap and water remains the gold standard with regard to hand hygiene. However, when soap and water are not available, the Kleenhanz® wipe has proven to be an effective alternative.
Note: Dr. James P. Chambers is chief scientific advisor for Kleenhanz®.
Kleenhanz® can be purchased in most H-E-B stores and Valero Corner Stores. If you are interested in learning more about Kleenhanz®, please visit www.kleenhanz.com.
