Infection prevention and control: Reviewing soap and detergents for procurement by health-care facilities

摘要

This article reviews the use of hand washing soap and detergent in a health-care facility, with the goal of facilitating procurement of such products. Three active antiseptic ingredients in soaps currently used for infection prevention and control are scrutinised, namely chlorhexidine, (povidone) iodine and alcohol, while a précis of research on the availability of hand washing facilities and hand hygiene culture in a healthcare setting is included in the review.