3M: New 3MTM AvagardTM antiseptic hand rub for surgical hand disinfection

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Surgical hand antisepsis plays a significant role in preventing healthcare associated infections and surgical site infections, as well as the subsequent morbidity, mortality and cost associated with them. Handwashing is recognised to be the single most important action in preventing infection.
3M has been collaboratively working with healthcare organisations and clinicians in the area of hand hygiene in Australia for more than 10 years and has now extended its range of advanced skin hygiene solutions to include the 3M^TM Avagard^TM Antiseptic Hand Rub.

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The evolution of hand washing
Hand antisepsis and surgical scrub agents have been refined over the years, offering increasingly effective and broader spectrum microbial kill.
The challenge has however been the effect of frequent scrubbing and handwashing on skin integrity. Many of today’s antiseptic scrub agents, although highly effective against a broad spectrum of infectious organisms, can compromise the integrity of the skin’s natural barrier.
To address this issue, leaders in Infection Control now call for increased emphasis on maintaining the skin’s natural barrier as an adjunct to antimicrobial activity in preventing infection.
2014-2015 Guidelines for antimicrobial surgical hand scrub
ACORN in their most recent guidelinesⁱ, call for the following criteria when selecting a surgical hand scrub:

• contains a non-irritating, broad spectrum, antimicrobial preparation which is fast acting and persistent


• have a broad spectrum of activity for the substantial reduction of numbers, and inhibition of growth of transient and resident flora on intact skin


• have a cumulative action


• have minimal detrimental effects to the skin

The guidelines also single out chlorhexidine gluconate as a preference for achieving persistent antimicrobial activity.
Introducing 3M^TM Avagard^TM Antiseptic Hand Rub
The new 3M^TM Avagard^TM Antiseptic Hand Rub combines a proven combination of alcohol and chlorhexidine gluconate for use as a hand antiseptic and for surgical hand disinfection.
Meeting ACORN, AORN and CDC criteria for surgical scrub selection, head-to-head surgical hand scrub studies have highlighted the product’s antimicrobial effectiveness and formulation proven to help maintain skin integrity.ⁱⁱ

• Fast and easy application


• no water or brushes required


• Two active ingredients - alcohol for rapid antimicrobial activity and Chlorhexidine Gluconate for persistent and cumulative antimicrobial activity


• Provides rapid antimicrobial kill of a broad spectrum of microorganisms, with greater than 99.9% kill in 15 secondsⁱⁱⁱ
  


• Fragrance, dye and preservative free


• Contains moisturisers to maintain skin integrity


• Can be used for the first scrub of the day and every scrub of the day

3M^TM Avagard^TM  Antiseptic Hand Rub - fast, effective three pump application for surgical hand antisepsis
Resources to support healthcare organisations meet NSQHS
An addition to the 3M^TM Avagard^TM offering, the Avagard^TM Antiseptic Hand Rub is key to 3M’s solutions-orientated National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (NSQHS) aligned hand hygiene program.
The program, which incorporates a range of free education resources and tools for clinicians as well as patient and carers, is designed to support healthcare organisations meet the compliance requirements of the Standards.

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References
i ACORN Standards for Perioperative Nursing. 2014-15. Standard Statement 4
ii Data on file (LIMS 7838, 7957, 8250), 3M Health Care. Surgical Scrub.
iii Data on file (LIMS 7939), 3M Health Care. HCP Handwash Study.
For more information or to organise a product trial please contact your 3M Sales Representative or call 3M Customer Service on 1300 363 878.