Hand Hygiene
Anitseptic Handwash

Povidone iodine, 5 to 10% formulations, is considered safe and effective for use in antiseptic handwash.¹⁵ Povidone iodine is an iodophor composed of elemental iodine, iodide or triiodide, and a polymer carrier. The amount of free iodine determines its level of antimicrobial activity.¹⁶ Iodine molecules rapidly penetrate the microbial cell wall resulting in impaired protein synthesis and disruption of cell membrane. The extent of persistent antimicrobial activity is unclear.²

Antiseptic handwash (Figure 1) removes or destroys transient microorganisms and reduces the resident hand flora.² It is an acceptable alternative to handwashing when the hands are visibly soiled. However, when the hands are not visibly soiled, an alcohol-based handrub (Figure 2) is recommended.^2,13,15 The concomitant use of an alcohol-based handrub and povidone iodine is contraindicated and the use of antimicrobial-impregnated wipes (i.e., towelettes) are not acceptable for antiseptic handwash.