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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For proving bactericidal efficacy, standards require in vitro tests (quantitative suspension tests; in the EN referred to as phase 2/step 1; e.g. EN 13727).
Test organisms for the bactericidal spectrum of activity include S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, E. coli, E. hirae
The methods of the European Norms (EN) and the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology (DGHM) for testing disinfectants for their bactericidal efficacy are identical to a great extent.
Where applicable and depending on the application area (e.g. instruments, surfaces, etc.), there are practicable test methods available as well (in the EN referred to as phase 2/step 2).
