Disinfectants That Don't

Editorial Notes1 February 1970Disinfectants That Don'tJAY P. SANFORD, M.D., F.A.C.P.JAY P. SANFORD, M.D., F.A.C.P.Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-72-2-282 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptCleansing and disinfection to reduce the number of bacteria on skin, medical, and surgical materials and equipment, floors, walls, and furniture are a major activity in all facilities for medical care, from the physician's office to the nursing home and large hospital. Most widely used are the detergent solutions that incorporate materials such as hexachlorophene and germicides such as the cationic quaternary ammonium solutions (the "quats"), that is, benzalkonium chloride (Zepharin®, Detergex®, Detergicide®) and phenolic germicide detergents (Amphyl®, Tergisyl®, Staphene®). This control of environmental contamination is becoming increasingly important with the rising prevalence of opportunistic infections, especially those caused by...References1. LOWBURY E: Contamination of cetrimide and other fluids with Pseudomonas pyocyanea. Brit J Indust Med 8:22-25, 1951 MedlineGoogle Scholar2. Food and drug administration warning contaminated detergent solution. National Communicable Disease Center. Morbid Mortal Weekly Rep 18:366, 1969 Google Scholar3. Drug recalls. Hospital Formulary Management, vol. 40, 1969 Google Scholar4. SANFORD J: Unpublished data Google Scholar5. TRAUBNEWHALLFULLER ECJ: The value of a new compound used in soap to reduce the bacterial flora of the human skin. Surg Gynec Obstet 79:205-216, 1944 Google Scholar6. ANDERSON K: The contamination of hexachlorophene soap with Pseudomonas pyocyanea. Med J Aust 2:463-465, 1962 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. KUNDSINWALTER RC: Investigation on absorption of benzalkonium chloride U.S.P. by skin, gloves and sponges. Arch Surg (Chicago) 75:1036-1042, 1957 CrossrefGoogle Scholar8. PLOTKINAUSTRIAN SR: Bacteremia caused by Pseudomonas sp. following the use of materials stored in solutions of a cationic surface-active agent. Amer J Med Sci 235:621-627, 1958 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar9. SHICKMANGUZEPEARCE MLM: Bacteremia following cardiac catheterization. Report of a case and studies on the source. New Eng J Med 260:1164-1166, 1959 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar10. MALIZIAGANGAROSAGOLEY WEA: Benzalkonium chloride as a source of infection. New Eng J Med 263:800-802, 1960 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar11. LEEFIALKOW JP: Benzalkonium chloride—source of hospital infection with gram-negative bacteria. JAMA 177: 708-710, 1961 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar12. WEISSBAILEY WC: Extracorporeal circulation in cardiac surgery. Anesth Analg (Cleveland) 39:438-450, 1960 MedlineGoogle Scholar13. Annotations. Failure of detergents to disinfect Lancet 2: 306, 1958 Google Scholar14. Annotations. Bacteria in antiseptic solutions. Brit Med J 2: 436, 1958 MedlineGoogle Scholar15. SIMMONSGARDNER ND: Bacterial contamination of a phenolic disinfectant. Brit Med J 2:668-669, 1969 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar16. LEIGHWHITTAKER DC: Disinfectants and plastic mop heads. Brit Med J 3:435, 1967 CrossrefGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Department of Internal Medicine University of Texas (Southwestern) Medical School at Dallas Dallas, Tex. 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STEERE, M.D., GEORGE F. MALLISON, M.P.H.ESTUDO DOS PRINCÍPIOS APLICADOS À UTILIZAÇÃO DOS AGENTES QUÍMICOS DESINFETANTES HOSPITALARESGuidelines for Prevention of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract InfectionsWALTER E. STAMM, M.D.ESTUDO DA UTILIZAÇÃO DAS SOLUÇÕES DESINFETANTES EM CENTRO CIRÚRGICO - COMPARAÇÃO DA SUA UTILIZAÇÃO EM ALGUNS HOSPITAIS DO DISTRITO DE SÃO PAULOAseptic Management of the Obstructed KidneyD.N.C.B. TEST IN HEPATITISRESPIRATORY FILTERS IN CLINICAL PRACTICE 1 February 1970Volume 72, Issue 2Page: 282-283KeywordsBacteriaChloridesDisinfectionNursing homesOpportunistic infections ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 February 1970 PDF downloadLoading ...