Efficacy of Betadine and Decosept for surgical hand scrub

Background: Nowadays, new methods such as scrub with an efficient agent for short time are used for the prevention of communicable diseases and infection control at the most of operating rooms. But, at most of our operating rooms, surgical teams use traditional and routine hand scrub (with Betadine more than 3 min). The aim of this clinical trial was to compare efficacy of Betadine and an alcoholic agent (Decosept) on BCC in Social Security hospital of Khorramabad (west of Iran) in may 2006. Materials and methods: twenty cases were selected from operating room scrub nurses according to inclusion criteria. First, all people washed their hands for 1 minutes with soap. The bacterial colony count was assessed by rubbing their fingertips in Triptyc Soy Broth (TSB) for 1 min. at the next step each person scrubbed their hands with Betadine (Povidone Iodine 7.5 %) for 3 min and dried them by sterile towel after rinse. Bacterial colony count (immediate effect) was assessed for one hand and the other hand was gloved for 2 hours. After the gloves were taken off, a second colony count was assessed for sustained effect. After one week, all subjects washed their hand and the bacterial colony count was assessed. Then, the hands of each subject scrubbed with Decosept in such a manner that their hands remained wet for 3 min (10-12 ml). Data was analyzed by the paired T test. Results: Comparison of BCC Frequency was different for immediate effect of Betadine and Decosept (38 vs. 25), and also for 2 h after scrub (72 vs. 40). The mean of BCC reduction immediately after Betadine and Decosept scrub was significantly different (PV=0.011). Also, the mean of BCC increase (sustained effect) 2 h after scrub was different (PV = 0.023). The BCC mean was increased (1.7) immediately and 2 hours after scrub with Betadine. But, this increase after scrub with Decosept (second stage) was less than Betadine (1.15). So, the difference between the first and the second stages, was significant (PV = 0.001) Conclusion: In general, alcoholic agent (Decosept) was more efficient to reduce BCC. We suggest the alcoholic agent be used more frequently for surgical hand scrub.