London, Ontario…3M introduces new Avagard™
D Instant Hand Antiseptic, a waterless hand antiseptic that
helps health care providers prevent the spread of nosocomial
infections - without damaging their own hands.
3M™ Avagard™ D Instant Hand Antiseptic represents
a new category of alcohol-based waterless hand antiseptics.
It is clinically proven to help reduce dryness and maintain
skin integrity. Unlike many hand lotions and some competitive
waterless antiseptics, it won't deactivate chlorhexidene gluconate
(CHG), an antimicrobial agent favored by caregivers for its
long-lasting effectiveness.
Avagard™ D Instant Hand Antiseptic's broad-spectrum
action kills more than 99 percent of harmful bacteria within
15 seconds, including MRSA and VRE.
Its moisturizing properties come from a built-in lotion featuring
3M's patented liquid crystalline emollient technology, which
is used in the cosmetic industry. When used multiple times
daily, Avagard™ D Instant Hand Antiseptic is more moisturizing
and results in less redness and skin breakdown than a leading
hand antiseptic or water alone.
"It's not uncommon for health care professionals to wash
their hands 40 or more times a day," said Shannon Anderson,
marketing supervisor, 3M Health Care. "Repeated exposure
to soap, water and towel drying damages hands, resulting in
redness, dryness and cracked skin. Damaged hands are associated
with changes in bacterial flora and an increase in the shedding
of organisms - so, ironically, the very practice intended
to reduce the risk of infections may instead become a contributing
factor to the spread of nosocomial infections."
A recent product evaluation involving 118 caregivers in five
health care facilities across the United States yielded the
following results:
· Caregivers preferred 3M™ Avagard™ D Instant
Hand Antiseptic over five competitive waterless products.
· Frequency of handwashing increased more than 50 percent.
· Use of lotion to treat damage caused by frequent
handwashing and drying antiseptics was reduced by 25 percent.
· Cost effectiveness was demonstrated in several ways
- reduced need for water and towels, less lotion use and time
savings.
Studies in Canada are yielding similar results. One nurse
who was so pleased with the results of using Avagard™
D commented, "…this is the first time in fifteen
years that I haven't had dry, flaky skin."
Caregivers involved in the evaluation noted that 3M™
Avagard™ D Instant Hand Antiseptic goes on smoothly,
doesn't leave hands sticky and doesn't affect glove performance.
"Like soap and water, hand antiseptics are only effective
if they are used. Based on our customer feedback, we believe
we have created a product that caregivers will actually want
to use because it preserves skin integrity as it disinfects
the skin," Anderson said.
Avagard™ D Instant Hand Antiseptic from 3M is available
in a 500-ml pump, which can be mounted on a wall, or in an
88-ml personal-size bottle, which enables health care providers
to use it on the run. "The portability of our product
helps encourage compliance with policies that dictate washing
hands between patients," Anderson added.
For more information on Avagard™, please contact Shannon
Anderson, Marketing Supervisor, 3M Health Care, P.O. Box 5757,
London, Ontario, N6A 4T1, 1-800-265-1840, extension 6596.
For more information on 3M Health Care products visit our
website at www.3M.com.
3M is a diversified, international company with a health
care business consisting of more than 10,000 medical, surgical,
consumer and home health care, dental and pharmaceutical products.
3M Health Care is committed to supplying reliable products
and services that make a difference in the practice, delivery
and outcome of health care.
