Antimicrobial solution for pre-operative preparation
A method for the preparation of a patient's skin prior to surgery includes applying a volume of an antiseptic solution to the skin surface prior to surgery in an amount effective to reduce bacteria on the skin surface; and allowing the antiseptic solution to stand on the skin surface for less than three minutes before commencing surgery. The antiseptic solution includes a biguanide and benzyl alcohol, and is comparable to an antiseptic solution containing at least 60% isopropyl alcohol or at least 60% ethyl alcohol at reducing bacteria.
1. A method for the preparation of a patient's skin prior to surgery, comprising:
applying a volume of a non-flammable antiseptic solution to the skin surface prior to surgery in an amount effective at reducing bacteria on the skin surface; and
allowing the non-flammable antiseptic solution to stand on the skin surface for about 1 second to about three minutes before commencing surgery,
wherein the non-flammable antiseptic solution comprises about 0.5% wt to about 4.0% wt of chlorhexidine gluconate and about 0.5% wt to about 3% wt of benzyl alcohol, and is at least as effective at reducing bacteria as a flammable antiseptic solution comprising 70% wt of isopropyl alcohol or 70% wt of isopropyl alcohol and 2% wt of chlorhexidine gluconate, and
wherein the volume of the non-flammable antiseptic solution is dependent on the surface area to be prepared.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the non-flammable antiseptic solution comprises 2% wt of the benzyl alcohol 2% wt of the chlorhexidine gluconate.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the non-flammable antiseptic solution consists essentially of the 2% wt of chlorhexidine gluconate, the 2% wt of benzyl alcohol, and 96% wt of water.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the non-flammable antiseptic solution further comprises a surfactant.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the surfactant is lauryl glucoside.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein commencing surgery comprises activating a surgical tool comprising a potential fire ignition source.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the potential fire ignition source is one or more selected from electrosurgical equipment, electrocautery equipment, and a laser.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein commencing surgery comprises draping the patient.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the volume of the non-flammable antiseptic solution applied to the skin surface is greater than or equal to 3 mL.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the volume of the non-flammable antiseptic solution applied to the skin surface is selected from 3 mL, 10 mL, and 26 mL.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bacteria has the potential to cause a skin infection.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the non-flammable antiseptic solution achieves a log reduction of bacteria that is greater than or equal to X−0.5 log 10 , wherein X is the log reduction achieved by the flammable antiseptic solution comprising 70% wt of isopropyl alcohol or 70% wt of isopropyl alcohol and 2% wt of chlorhexidine gluconate.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bacteria is gram positive.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bacteria is selected from one or more of Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Burkholderia cepacian, Acinetobacter baumannii, Bacteroides fragilis, Proteus mirabilis, Serratia marcescens , or Staphylococcus haemolyticus.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bacteria is gram negative.
16. A method for the preparation of a patient's skin prior to surgery, comprising:
applying a volume of a non-flammable antiseptic solution to the skin surface prior to surgery in an amount effective at reducing bacteria on the skin surface;
wherein the non-flammable antiseptic solution comprises about 0.5% wt to about 4.0% wt of chlorhexidine gluconate and about 0.5% wt to about 3% wt of benzyl alcohol, and achieves a log reduction of bacteria that is greater than or equal to X−0.5 log 10 ,
wherein X is the log reduction achieved by a flammable antiseptic solution comprising 70% wt of isopropyl alcohol or 70% wt of isopropyl alcohol and 2% wt of chlorhexidine gluconate, and
wherein the volume of the non-flammable antiseptic solution is dependent on the surface area to be prepared.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the non-flammable antiseptic solution comprises 2% wt of the benzyl alcohol and 2% wt of the chlorhexidine gluconate.
18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the volume of the non-flammable antiseptic solution applied to the skin surface is greater than or equal to 3 mL.
19. The method of claim 16 , further comprising allowing the non-flammable antiseptic solution to dry for less than three minutes before activating a potential fire ignition source.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the potential fire ignition source is one or more selected from electrosurgical equipment, electrocautery equipment, and a laser.