A crucial element of preventive health for all species is hand washing. In fact, the World Health Organization considers hand hygiene as the pillar of infection control. While this abstract targets equine health, the information is a good reminder for all animal health pros.
Although the principles and benefits of proper hand hygiene have been recognized in the healthcare world, one of the major drawbacks remains the lack of compliance with established protocols.
Source: Equine Veterinary Education, November 4,2016, abstract only. Link.
. . . using decontamination methods and products that are the least harmful to the skin is mandatory. This is why the currently accepted presurgical hand preparation methods do not involve aggressive brushing and disinfecting soaps anymore. Rather, hands should be washed with a neutral pH friendly soap first before a hydroalcoholic solution is applied.
INSIGHTS: As year-end inventories are counted, it is a good time to remove old hygiene products and adjust inventories to more current disinfectants and soaps. Distribution representatives can provide up-to-date products and share product benefits for practices and retailers alike.