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Dental Volume 1 - Dentist training manual for military dentists | Next
HANDWASHING EQUIPMENT AND SOAP DISPENSERS |
Figure 9-4.—Contaminated disposable bag with biohazard label.
agents used in the Navy, water-based cleaning agents
and waterless handwashing agents.
Water-Based Cleaning Agents
Water-based cleaning agents include chlor-
hexidine, iodophors, and alcohol among the active
antimicrobial ingredients approved for handwashing.
Products which use aqueous quaternary ammonium
compounds, such as those containing dilute
benzalkonium chloride, are not approved. Outbreaks
of nosocomial infection associated with the use of
aqueous quaternary ammonium compounds have been
documented. Two of the most common water-based
cleaning agents are iodophors and chlorhexidine
gluconate.
IODOPHORS.—These
are
water
soluble
complexes of iodine with organic compounds that are
effective against all gram-positive and gram-negative
bacteria and viruses. Iodophors usually do not have a
long-acting germicidal action and, if used frequently,
may cause severe drying of the skin.
9-13
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