A/Prof. Greg Whiteley3, Dr Trevor Glasbey, Mrs. Hannah Walmsley, Ms. Nicole Scott
1Whiteley Corporation, NORTH SYDNEY, New Zealand, 2University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Camperdown, Australia, 3Western Sydney University, School of Science, Hawkesbury Campus Richmond, Australia
Biography:
Adjunct Associate Professor Greg Whiteley is an active researcher in several fields of Cleanliness and Instrument reprocessing, Hand Hygiene, Bacterial Biofilms, Biofilm Mediated Infections and Infection Prevention and Control. He is the Executive Chairman of Whiteley Corporation, a manufacturer of medical products based in the Hunter Region of NSW. Dr Whiteley has Adjunct Associate Professor affiliations with both the University of Sydney and the University of Western Sydney.
Abstract:
Introduction
in Australia and New Zealand Alcohol Based Hand Rubs (ABHR) used in healthcare are regulated Therapeutic Goods. Unregulated ABHR products cannot normally be supplied for healthcare uses.
During the COVID pandemic, manufacturing supply chains were interrupted. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) enabled certain unregulated products with emollients restrictions to flood into Australia and New Zealand. Some healthcare users had to purchase and use unregulated products.
Regulated products use suitable emollients and surfactant packages whereas the unregulated products use cheap or no emollients, causing regular users of ABHR to experience hand/skin dryness and cosmetic skin disruption.
Method
Following a product challenge to a range of healthcare users in Australia and New Zealand, participants were surveyed with four questions for impressions of their own skin integrity, dryness and cracking, on a before and after basis following a 30-day trial period with a regulated ABHR.
Results
Healthcare workers who participated (N=160) were surveyed including users with prior skin concerns (N=48) and those with no prior skin concerns (N=112). Skin softness was improved for 97% of all participants. Those who had pre-existing skin concerns responded that their skin conditions were significantly improved or completely resolved (P=0.04) following usage of the Regulated product including dryness, cracking or soreness.
Discussion
Skin integrity is critically important to healthcare workers. Emollients are as important to ABHR as the active ingredient. This study supports the importance of correctly formulated and regulated ABHR for regular use by healthcare workers and those who require regular hand hygiene.