Danielle M. Zerr, MD, MPH, Co-Chair, Infection Control Committee, Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center, Seattle, WA, discusses hand hygiene at Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center.
In an era when many infection control experts are migrating to alcohol-free hand sanitizers (those containing BZK are the preferred products) in lieu of legacy alcohol-gel products--its particularly alarming that an administrator of a children's hospital would promote a product that causes dry/irritated skin, is flammable, destroys industrial floor wax, and has limited effectiveness.
Countless independent studies have documented that benzalkonium chloride is equally if not more effective as a germ killing agent, penetrates hands that might be dirty, is non-toxic (yes, we know its not good to inhale large quantities), is non flammable, is hypoallergenic and a particularly well-acknowledged antiseptic. Schools are systematically banning alcohol-based products because they really don't work that well, and insofar as use by kids, some will suggest that its totally irresponsible to recommend alcohol-based gels when safer and friendlier products are readily available. Yes, we're biased--we manufacture Hy5 and Soapopular brands--both of which have been endorsed by amongst others, the President of the CT Infection Control Nurse Association. Raise your hands if you have any objective questions or comments...jay@mgsmata.com
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