Since the discovery by Semmelweis that washing hands with chlorine decreased
morbidity and mortality rates, the antimicrobial products market has grown tremendously.
This chapter provides a brief introduction to the topical antimicrobial products currently on
the market, how they are classified, how they work, and the purposes for which they are
best suited. Among the first products used as a surgical scrub was an iodine complex (a
tincture of iodine and an aqueous iodophor), which provides excellent immediate
antimicrobial action. Another product, Chlorhexidine gluconate, which was first
synthesized in 1950, has proved to provide high levels of antimicrobial activity and
considerable effectiveness in healthcare personnel handwash applications. Alcohol and
alcohol compounds also provide effective immediate effects but little to no residual or
persistent activity. As the market has developed and scientific knowledge increased,
product manufacturers have greatly improved product formulations, including the
development of products containing quaternary ammonium compounds, which are used in
household cleaners, disinfections, skin and hair care formulations, sanitizers, sterilizing
solutions for medical devices, and even preservatives; parachlorometaxylenol product
formulations are used primarily for healthcare personnel handwashes, as they are effective
in removing transient microorganisms from the hands and have low skin irritation potential;
and triclosan, which has fair immediate and persistent antimicrobial ability, but no residual
action, has been formulated for a wide range of applications, including the food industry
and consumer product lines. New products are constantly being formulated, tested, and
brought to the market, according to the guidelines of the Food and Drug Administration.
Keywords: Alcohol, CHG, healthcare personnel handwash, iodine, PCMX,
products, surgical scrubs, topical antimicrobial.
