The effects of surgical hand scrubbing protocols on skin integrity and surgical site infection rates: a systematic review

Liu, Liang Q. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6358-1637 and Mehigan, Sinead ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2998-2135 (2016) The effects of surgical hand scrubbing protocols on skin integrity and surgical site infection rates: a systematic review. AORN journal, 103 (5) . pp. 468-482. ISSN 0001-2092 [Article] (doi:10.1016/j.aorn.2016.03.003)

Abstract

This systematic review aimed to critically appraise and synthesize updated evidence on the impact of surgical scrub techniques on participants’ skin. We searched CINAHL, EMBASE, Medline and Cochrane Central. Our review was limited to peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs published in English from 1990 to 2014. A total of ten trials including eight RCTs and two Non-RCTs were reviewed. Comparison models were: traditional hand scrubbing with chlorhexidine gluconate or povidone-iodine against alcohol based hand rubbing (n=6), surgical scrub with brush versus brushless (n=3), detergent-based antiseptics alone versus antiseptics incorporating alcohol solutions (n=1). Evidence showed that hand rubbing techniques are as effective as traditional scrubbing, and seem to be better tolerated. Hand rubbing appears to cause less skin damage than traditional scrub protocols; brushless techniques were better than scrubbing using a brush.
Funding source for the systematic review: No
Registration number: PROSPERO registration number is CRD42014015043.

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