Molnlycke Health Care introduces Hibiclens skin cleansing kit
Molnlycke Health Care US, the manufacturer of the Hibiclens antiseptic antimicrobial skin cleanser, has added a general skin cleansing patient kit to its product line-up. It is be used at home prior to surgery as part of a strategy to fight surgical-site infections (SSIs) and hospital-acquired infections (HAIs).
Hibiclens is said to be the only antiseptic antimicrobial cleanser that contains 4% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG).
The kit comes with: a 4oz bottle of Hibiclens; five Mesoft cotton disposable washcloths measuring 10 x 20cm each for applying and washing with Hibiclens; and a guide to general skin cleansing prior to surgical procedures.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that patients shower or bathe prior to surgery with an antiseptic agent as it can decrease skin microbial colony counts. In a study of more than 700 patients who received two preoperative antiseptic showers, chlorhexidine reduced bacterial colony counts nine fold. Because CHG products require several applications to attain maximum antimicrobial benefit, repeated antiseptic showers are indicated.
“Preoperative cleansing of patients' skin is an essential element in a facilities' plan to reduce the rate of postoperative infections. Being able to provide patients with an easy-to-use kit for use at home that includes a mild, yet effective CHG cleanser will be an important factor in patient adherence and in potentially reducing infection rates,’ said Rhonda Lemmo, manager at Molnlycke Health Care.
Hibiclens is also indicated as a surgical hand scrub, preoperative skin preparation and healthcare personnel hand wash.
Molnlycke Health Care US consists of two divisions – surgical and wound care. Focusing on prevention of surgically related infections, the surgical division (formerly Regent Medical Americas) encompasses Biogel surgical gloves; Hibiclens and Hibistat antiseptics; and Barrier protective clothing.
