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October, 2003
For Immediate Release
3M Redefines the Sterile Field in the OR with a Revolutionary Alternative to the Traditional Surgical Scrub
3M Introduces the First Waterless, Brushless, Surgical Scrub- Avagard CHG Hand Antiseptic
London, ON - Surgeons’ hands are like surgical instruments - antimicrobial products for decades have attempted to clean the hands of surgeons and healthcare workers to make them as clean and sterile as possible. The surgical hand scrub and hand antisepsis play a significant role in preventing nosocomial and surgical site infections and the subsequent morbidity, mortality, and cost associated with them. Handwashing is known to be the single most important action in preventing infection. Repeated use of hand antiseptics to destroy the bacteria in the surgical scrub process can result in non-compliance of recommended lengths of traditional surgical scrubs and the deterioration of skin integrity.
Now there is a unique alternative to traditional surgical scrub hand agents that will destroy the bacteria while helping to maintain the integrity of the skin (Data on file). Avagard CHG Hand Antiseptic contains chlorhexidine gluconate 1% solution and ethyl alcohol 61% w/w, uniquely formulated in an emollient-rich lotion base. Hand hygiene, among many other factors is associated with statistical numbers of nosocomial and surgical site infections. Due to these statistical numbers, healthcare institutions implement many infection prevention procedures including efficacious hand antiseptics. Why the continual search for better products? According to recent CDC Guidelines, as many as 85% of nurses give a history of having skin problems. Frequent and repeated use of hand-hygiene products, particularly soaps and other detergents, is a primary cause of chronic irritant contact dermatitis among healthcare workers. Irritation associated with antimicrobial soaps may be caused by the antimicrobial agent or by other ingredients of the formulation. Affected persons often complain of a feeling of dryness or burning; skin that feels “rough”; and redness, scaling, or fissures.
So how does Avagard CHG Hand Antiseptic alleviate this problem? It’s a waterless, brushless, surgical scrub that can be applied in a fraction of the time required to perform a traditional hand scrub. The unique combination of chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) and ethyl alcohol enables Avagard CHG Hand Antiseptic to kill bacteria efficaciously and to provide persistent bacterial kill while the emollient-rich lotion helps maintain the integrity of the skin. Avagard CHG Hand Antiseptic utilizes a closed-system foot pump delivery system thus preventing contamination of the dispenser and recontamination of the hands.
“Avagard CHG is extremely easy to use - the application is quick, resulting in an efficient and thorough scrub,” said Vicky King, an operating room nurse at St. Joseph’s Health Care in London. “Avagard CHG did not leave my skin dry and my hands were left soft long after use.”
Avagard CHG Hand Antiseptic is the first surgical scrub with this combined concentration (chlorhexidine gluconate 1% solution and eythyl alcohol 61% w/w) approved for use in Canada. In clinical trials, Avagard CHG Hand Antiseptic demonstrated superior bacterial kill compared to 4% CHG or 61% ethanol. The Avagard CHG procedure has a shorter direct contact time versus an observed traditional surgical scrub (TSS) (n=20, contact time: 80.7 seconds versus 144.9 seconds, p<0.0001. Avagard CHG Hand Antiseptic also significantly outperformed Betadine® and Hibiclens® on skin condition on all days (days 1 through 5), as measured by expert grading of dryness.
“Initially Avagard CHG Hand Antiseptic requires a change of practice and behaviour,” explains Heather Coughlan, Professional and Technical Services Advisor, 3M Health Care. “Once the healthcare professionals have actually used the product though, they gain confidence in its efficacious abilities and realize the benefits for their skin.”
For more information about 3M Infection Prevention Products, visit www.3M.com/ca/healthcare or call 1-888-3M-HELPS.
3M and Avagard are trademarks of 3M. Used under license in Canada.
Established in 1951 as one of the first international subsidiaries of the global 3M Company, 3M Canada employs more than 1800 people across Canada and had annual sales exceeding $1 billion (CDN) in 2002.
3M is a $16 billion (US) diversified technology company with leading positions in industrial, consumer and office, health care, safety, electronics, telecommunications and other markets. The company has operations in more than 60 countries and serves customers in nearly 200 countries.
Contact 3M Canada PR department.
Betadine is a registered trademark of the Purdue Frederick Company.
Hibiclens is a registered trademark of AstraZeneca PLC. |
