Changes in hands microbiota associated with skin damage because of hand hygiene procedures on the health care workers

Background: The purpose of this study was evaluating the microbial flora of nurses' healthy (n = 30) and damaged hand (n = 30) by frequent handwashing and/or wearing of gloves. Methods: Hand cultures were obtained both before and after washing hands with nonantimicrobial soap. through the sterile polyethylene bag method. Results: The bacteria counts or the hands of professionals with damaged hands were higher than those with healthy hands, and those with damaged hands presented higher frequency of Staphylococcus aureus, 16.7% versus 10%; gram-negative bacteria, 20% versus 6.7%: and yeast, 26.7% versus 20%, respectively, as well as the sum of these microorganisms. The presence or Staphylococcus haemolyticus was only seen in nurses with damaged hands (P = .02), and enterococci were not recovered from the hands of any volunteer. The presence of antimicrobial resistant S aureus and gram-negative bacteria was also greater among damaged hands. Conclusion: The irritation caused on the skin by frequent washing and/or wearing of gloves is associated with changes in hands microbial flora, and their potential risks should be considered when institutions/users are selecting products/formulations to assure hands skin health and consequent compliance with their own hygiene procedures. Copyright (C) 2009 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc.