American journal of infection control
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Am J Infect Control · Aug 1998
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialClinical efficacy of a chlorous acid preoperative skin antiseptic.
Among the ways to reduce the incidence of iatrogenic infectious disease is the use of efficacious preoperative antiseptics. Iodophors and chlorhexidines, the chief presurgical disinfectants today, have various problems with practicality. A new preoperative skin antiseptic has been developed (Alcide Corporation, Redmond, Wash) that involves the mixture of a 0.1% sodium chlorite formulation and an activating preparation of 0.5% mandelic acid to produce chlorous acid and other antimicrobial degradation products. ⋯ An activated chlorous acid product statistically matched the performance of chlorhexidine gluconate in reducing populations of resident flora on treated skin sites. With an easier and shorter application procedure and strong, long-term antimicrobial activity, the new halogenated antiseptic seems to be a useful and possible efficacious preoperative skin disinfectant.