Science
Publications
Hands
Kampf G, Steinmann J, Rabenau H.
Suitability of vaccinia virus and bovine viral diarrhea (BVDV) for determining
activities of three commonly-used alcohol based hand rubs against enveloped
viruses.
BMC Infectious Diseases 2007, 7:5 doi:10.11.86/1471-2334-7-5
Contents
The article assesses three alcohol-based hand rubs with a total alcohol
concentration of ≤ 75 % with regard to the activity against clinically
relevant enveloped viruses in accordance to prEN 14476. Vaccinia virus,
BVDV (surrogate for HCV), herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, and human
and avian influenza A viruses were used as test viruses. Result: In the
quantitative suspension test with an exposure time of 15 seconds, all
alcohol-based hand disinfectants were active against all organic loads.
With this, the study is the first to provide evidence for the activity
against enveloped viruses.
Kampf G, Ostermeyer C, Heeg P, Paulson D.
Evaluation
of two methods of determining the efficacies of two alcohol-based hand
rubs for surgical hand antisepsis.
Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 2006; 72: 3856-3861.
Content
For the first time, this study investigated, if the efficacy of surgical
hand disinfection with shortened exposure times still suffices, when,
in addition to the hands, two-thirds of the forearms are included in
the treatment. Both Sterillium (exposure time: 1.5 minutes) and Sterillium
Rub (exposure time: 2 minutes) proved to be effective enough.
Kampf G, Ostermeyer C, Heeg P.
Surgical hand disinfection with a propanol-based hand rub: equivalence
of shorter application times.
J. Hosp. Infect. 2005; 59: 304-310.
Content
The efficacy of Sterillium for surgical hand disinfection was investigated
with different exposure times (3, 2, 1.5 and 1 minute) in accordance with
EN 12791, and was compared to the 3 minutes reference procedure. For both
the immediate and long-term effect after 1.5 minutes Sterillium showed
a higher efficacy than the 3 minutes reference procedure.
A German translation of this article was published in:
Krh.-Hyg. + Inf.verh. 2005; 27: 51-56.
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Kampf G, Voss A, Widmer AF.
Die chirurgische Händedesinfektion
zwischen Tradition und Fortschritt
Hyg Med 2006; 31 [7+8]: 316–321
Content
This paper provides an overview of the changes in the practical execution
of surgical hand disinfection, which, over the decades, were the result
of scientific perceptions. Important innovations are pointed out, such
as the shortening of the washing time, and the reduction of the disinfection
exposure time to 1.5 minutes depending on the preparation. In terms of
efficacy of the preparations for surgical hand disinfection, the authors
examine the clinical relevance of EN 12791 and the fingertip test following
the American example. In addition, this paper evaluates compliance with
regard to the shortened exposure time in surgical hand disinfection.
Kampf G, Ennen J.
Regular
use of a hand cream can attenuate skin dryness and roughness caused by
frequent hand washing. (pdf-file)
BMC Dermatology 2006; 6:1 doi:10.1186/1471-5945-6-1.
Content
The aim of the study was to determine the effect of the regular use of
a hand cream after each hand washing on skin hydration and skin roughness.
Result: The use of a hand cream immediately after each hand wash can
confine both skin dryness and skin roughness. Regular use of skin care
preparations should therefore help to prevent dry and rough skin among
healthcare workers in clinical practice.
Kramer A, Jünger M, Kampf G.
Hygienic and dermatological aspects of hand disinfection and prophylactic
skin antisepsis.
Der Hautarzt, Springer-Verlag 2005; 56 (8): 743 – 751.
Content
The article evaluates hand hygiene and skin antisepsis from a dermatological
point of view. Regular application of skin care and skin protection measures
is qualified for preventing irritant skin damages.
Rabenau HF, Kampf G, Cinatl J, Doerr HW.
Efficacy of various antiseptics against SARS coronavirus.
J Hosp Infect. 2005 Oct; 61 (2) :107-111.
Content
Until the epidemic breakout, the pathogen of SARS had been an unknown coronavirus,
which in the meantime is referred to as SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV).
So far, only limited data on disinfectants’ efficacy against SARS-CoV
were available. In this study, eight disinfectants, which meet the RKI
and DVV recommendations for deployment against SARS-CoV, were tested
for their efficacy in accordance with prEN 14 476. All tested disinfectants
proved to be reproducibly effective against SARS-CoV with common concentration
and application time, even with additional organic exposure.
Kampf G, Ostermeyer C.
Efficacy of two distinct ethanol-based hand rubs for surgical hand disinfection
- a controlled trial according to prEN 12791.
BMC Infectious Diseases 2005, 5:17 doi:10.1186/1471-2334-5-17
Content
Aim of the study was to determine the efficacy of two distinct ethanol-based
hand rubs for surgical hand disinfection in a controlled cross-over trial
according to prEN 12791. Bacterial pre-values were between 4.38 ± 0.66
and 4.46 ± 0.71. Sterillium® Rub achieved the required immediate
(mean log10-reduction of 2.59 ± 1.19) and sustained effect (1.73 ± 1.08)
compared with the reference treatment (immediate effect: 2.58 ± 1.16;
sustained effect: 1.67 ± 0.96). Avagard, however, did not achieve
the required immediate (1.82 ± 1.40) and sustained effect (1.41 ± 1.08)
in comparison to the reference disinfection (immediate effect: 2.98 ± 0.90;
sustained effect: 2.56 ± 1.17; p < 0.01; Wilcoxon test).
Full version available online
Kampf G, Ostermeyer C.
Influence of Applied Volume on Efficacy of 3-Minute Surgical Reference
Disinfection Method prEN 12791.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology December 2004; 70 (12): 7066-7069.
Content
The European prEN 12791 test method prescribes – regardless of the
volume applied – that the hands have to be kept wet with the reference
alcohol during the 3 minutes application time. In 10 experiments with 200
reference disinfections, the study investigated whether the applied volume
of the reference alcohol n-propanol (60%, v/v) influences the preparation’s
effect on the resident skin flora. Result: if the hands are kept wet during
the whole application time of 3 minutes, the applied preparation volume
can vary without influencing the efficacy on the resident skin flora.
Full version available
Kampf G.
The six golden rules to improve compliance in hand hygiene.
J Hosp Infect. 2005; 56 :3–5.
Content
Improving compliance with hand hygiene is probably the most effective step
to avoid nosocomial infections. The study names and evaluates the 6 most
important measures for improving compliance.
Kampf G, Kramer A.
Epidemiologic Background of Hand Hygiene and Evaluation of the Most Important
Agents for Scrubs and Rubs.
Clinical Microbiology Reviews October 2004; 17 (4): 863-893.
Content
Comprehensive overview based on the current guideline on hand hygiene issued
by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The epidemiologic
importance of microbial and viral hand colonization, agents for reducing
pathogens, the respective products’ effect on nosocomial infections
and the compliance with hand hygiene measures are surveyed.
Full version available online
Kampf G (Ed.)
Hand hygiene in health care.
Springer Verlag Berlin Heidelberg New York 2003, ISBN 3-540-44200-6; € 59,95.
Content of the book
With this textbook, which has been conceived as standard work, Dr. Günter
Kampf (editor) and an international team of authors have a share in increasing
compliance in hand hygiene. Being scientifically substantiated and practice-oriented
at the same time, this book deals with current hand hygiene aspects, e.g.
epidemiological relevance of hands, toxicology and tolerability of active
ingredients, compliance, international norms and recommendations, financial
benefit.
Kampf G, Hollingsworth A.
Validity of the four European test strains of prEN 12054 for the determination
of comprehensive bactericidal activity of an alcohol-based hand rub.
J Hosp Infect. 2003 Nov; 55 (3): 226-31.
Content
In accordance with the European prEN 12054 norm, a hand disinfectant’s
bactericidal activity is determined by the means of 4 test organisms: Staphylococcus
aureus, Enterococcus hirae, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
The hand disinfectant has to achieve a decrease of 5 log10 units within
30 seconds. In order to investigate the significance of these test organisms,
the hand disinfectant ‘Sterillium®’ has been tested requirements
in compliance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which comprises
all clinically relevant bacteria strains: 13 gram-positive and 18 gram-negative
bacteria strains (ATCC strains), 14 clinically relevant problem bacteria
as well as clinical isolates of each species were used as test organisms.
It has been confirmed that the bactericidal activity of a propanol-based
hand disinfectant against the prEN 12054 test organisms allows the inference
on a comprehensive bactericidal effect.
Kampf G.
State-of-the-art hand hygiene in community medicine.
Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2003 Oct; 206 (6): 465-472.
Content
Hand hygiene becomes more and more important even in outpatient medical
care – last but not least because of the spread of methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This article deals with alcohol-based hand
disinfection as state-of-the-art hand hygiene in consideration of dermatological
aspects.
Kampf G, Löffler H.
Dermatological aspects of a successful introduction and continuation of
alcohol-based hand rubs for hygienic hand antisepsis.
J Hosp Infect. 2003 Sep; 55 (1) :1-7.
Content
Due to the new Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guideline
on Hand Hygiene more and more hospitals in the US introduce alcohol-based
hand rubs for hand disinfection. However, healthcare workers may reject
the new products as they fear skin irritations. Reasons for a burning
sensation and irritations when using alcohol-based preparations lie in
the existing pre-irritation of skin caused by hand washings. This article
deals with the most important studies on this topic and shows that measures
like clarification and clear guidelines sustainably facilitate a conversion
from antimicrobial handwashing to alcohol-based hand disinfection.
A German translation of this article was published in: Krankenhaushygiene + Infektionsverhütung, 2004; 26: 151-156.
Kramer A, Bernig T, Kampf G.
Clinical double-blind trial on the dermal tolerance and user acceptability
of six alcohol-based hand antiseptics for hygienic hand antisepsis.
J Hosp Infect. 2002; 51: 114-120.
Content of the study
In a clinical randomized double-blind study six alcohol-based hand disinfectants
have been tested for their skin tolerability. From an objective point
of view, all preparations possessed a good compatibility. From a subjective
point of view, Sterillium® was evaluated significantly better in
terms of skin moisture ever and replenishing characteristics.
A German translation of this study was published in: Krankenhaushygiene + Infektionsverhütung, 2003; 25: 245-251.
Kramer A, Rudolph P, Kampf G, Pittet D.
Limited efficacy of alcohol-based hand gels.
The Lancet 2002; 359: 1489-1490.
Content of the study
Most alcohol-based gels (e.g. Purell) do not meet the European efficacy
requirements in accordance with EN 1500 as do comparable liquid products
(e.g. Sterillium®). Hence, these gels are not suitable for hygienic
hand disinfection in health care practise.
Kampf G, Rudolf M, Labadie JC, Barrett SP.
Spectrum of antimicrobial activity and user acceptability
of the hand antiseptic Sterillium® Gel.
J Hosp Infect. 2002; 52: 141-147.
Content of the study
Sterillium® Gel* is the first alcohol-based gel, which is comparable
to alcohol-based liquid preparations in terms of efficacy. Additionally,
it has a distinctive effect on a number of viruses.
* not available in Germany
Labadie JC, Kampf G, Lejeune B, Exner M, Cottron O, Girard R, Orlick M,
Goetz ML, Darbord JC, Kramer A.
Recommendation for surgical hand antisepsis – requirements,
implementation and need for research. A proposal by representatives of
the SFHH, DGHM and DGKH for a European discussion.
J Hosp Infect. 2002; 51: 312-315.
Content
Societies for hygiene developed a draft for a European recommendation with
regard to surgical hand disinfection. Alcohol-based preparations are
to be used preferably. In principle, washings prior to disinfection can
be neglected.
A German translation of this article was published in: Hygiene + Medizin, 2002; 27: 166-168.
Kampf G, Ostermeyer C.
Intra-laboratory reproducibility of the hand hygiene reference procedures
of EN 1499 (hygienic hand wash) and EN 1500 (hygienic hand disinfection)
J Hosp Infect. 2002; 52: 219-224.
Content of the study
In Europe, the efficacy of hand hygiene preparations is determined in accordance
with EN 1499 (hygienic hand washing) and EN 1500 (hygienic hand disinfection).
A total of 35 trials with 15 test persons each were analyzed, and confirmed
an excellent reproducibility of these methods. Thus, it is proven that
the European test methods are suitable for the determination of in-vivo
efficacy.
Girard R, Réat C, Carboni N, Bouket J-L.
L´antisepsie chirurgicale des mains peut-elle remplacer en routine
le lavage chirugical des mains? Essai en bloc d´orthopédie
réglée.
Hygiènes 1996; 12 : 34-38.
Content of the study
In an orthopedic operation room, 31 employees used Sterillium® for
surgical hand disinfection. After more than two weeks, significantly fewer
skin irritations occurred than with the previously used antimicrobial wash
lotions.
Kampf G, Höfer M, Wendt C.
Efficacy of hand antiseptics against vancomycin-resistant enterococci in
vitro.
J Hosp Infect. 1999; 42: 143-150.
Contents of the study
A quantitative suspension trial tested various hand disinfection preparations
for their efficacy against 7 different vancomycin-resistant enterococci
(VRE) strains. Sterillium® demonstrated an excellent efficacy against
VRE with reduction factors of > 7, already after 15 seconds.
Kampf G, Jarosch R, Rüden H.
Limited effectiveness of chlorhexidine based hand antiseptics against methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
J Hosp Infect. 1998; 38: 297-303.
Content of the study
A quantitative suspension trial tested various hand disinfection preparations
for their efficacy against 3 different methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA) strains. Preparations based on chlorhexidine were significantly
less effective than alcohol-based preparations. In addition, MRSA proved
to be much harder to inactivate with chlorhexidine than methicillin-sensitive
S. aureus.
Maury E, Alzieu M, Baudell Jl, Haram N, Barbut F, Guidet B, Offenstadt
G.
Availability of an alcohol solution can improve hand antisepsis compliance
in an intensive care unit.
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 2000; 162: 324-327.
Content of the study
In an internal intensive care unit Sterillium® was introduced for hand
disinfection. The compliance was observed over a period of 5 weeks. Compliance
could be increased significantly (from 42.4% to 60.9%). Skin compatibility
with repeated application was described as good.
Pietsch H.
Hand antiseptics: rubs versus scrubs, alcohol-based solutions versus alcohol-based
gels.
J Hosp Infect. 2001; 33 – 36.
Content of the study
Alcohol-based hand disinfectants like Sterillium® have various advantages:
they are significantly more effective than conventional alcohol-based gels,
their skin tolerability with repeated application is significantly better
than with chlorhexidine-containing wash lotions, their antimicrobial effect
(when used for surgical hand antisepsis) is significantly better than chlorhexidine-containing
liquid soaps.
Pitten F-A, Rudolph P, Below H, Kramer A.
Assessment of the activity of antiperspirants added to surgical hand antiseptics:
methodological aspects and first observations.
J Hosp Infect. 2001; 29-32.
Content of the study
As the microorganisms resident on the hand attain to the skin via perspiratory
glands, a preparation’s antiperspirant effect is not only of cosmetic
interest for surgical hand antisepsis. For the first time, a sweat reducing
effect of the ingredient Mecetronium etilsulfate in Sterillium® has
been proven.
Pittet D.
Improving compliance with hand hygiene in hospitals.
Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2000; 21: 381-386.
Content of the study
Compliance with hand hygiene is a multi-factorial and complex incident.
Many interventions to increase compliance failed. However, if the reasons
for non-compliance are known, purposeful interventions can be realized.
Pittet D, Hugonnet S, Harbarth S, Monronga P, Sauvan V, Touveneau S,
Perneger TV.
Effectiveness of a hospital-wide program to improve compliance with hand
hygiene.
Lancet 2000; 356: 1307-1312.
Content of the study
By the means of introducing an alcohol-based hand disinfectant and a campaign
promoting hand disinfection, a significant reduction of the prevalence
of nosocomial infections could be proven (from 16.9% to 9.9%) in the
University Hospital of Geneva over a period of 6 years. In the same period,
the incidence rate of MRSA could also be significantly reduced.
Sauermann G, Proske O, Keyhani R, Leneveu M-C, Pietsch H, Rohde B.
Skin tolerance of Sterillium and Hibiscrub in a comparative clinical trial.
Hyg. Med. 1995; 20: 184-189.
Content of the study
In a prospective, randomized cross-over study, 60 test persons either used
Hibiscrub or Sterillium® 8 times per day for 14 weeks. Skin tolerability
of both procedures was determined with different methods. In general,
Sterillium® was significantly better tolerated than Hibiscrub.
Voss A, Widmer AF.
No time for hand washing!? Hand washing versus alcohol-based rub: can we
afford 100% compliance?
Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 1997; 18: 205-208.
Content of the study
Theoretical calculations prove that much less time has to be spent for
hygienic hand disinfection with alcohol-based solutions. In other words:
in the same available time, one can disinfect hands more often and thus
contribute to an increased compliance.