Scrubbing and rubbing
For routine surgical hand preparation alcohol-based handrubs are superior to scrubs because they are equally effective but cause less skin irritation, are cheaper, and use less water.
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In disinfection, these terms describe the impairing effect a certain agent (active ingredient) has on populations of microorganisms. Activity/efficacy may refer to inhibition of growth, complete killing or inactivation.
- Activity
Activity describes the antimicrobial spectrum (e.g. bactericidal and yeasticidal activity). Generally, it is determined in suspension tests. Possible terms for activity: bactericidal, yeasticidal, fungicidal, mycobactericidal, tuberculocidal, virucidal against enveloped viruses, virucidal, sporicidal.
- Efficacy
The efficacy is tested for a certain type of application (e.g. surgical hand disinfection). It is determined in practical studies.
