Hospital Practices and Research

Abstract Background: Alcohol-based antiseptics are widely used in clinical settings for skin disinfection prior to procedures, with efficacy dependent on both concentration and adequate wet contact time. Despite recommendations to allow antiseptics to air dry naturally, practices such as fanning or blowing are commonly used to hasten drying. The impact of such practices on antiseptic efficacy and safety remains unclear.
Objectives: To systematically map the existing literature on the effects of accelerated drying, particularly through fanning, blowing, or forced evaporation, on the antimicrobial efficacy of alcohol-based antiseptics used for skin disinfection.
Methods: A scoping review was conducted following the Arksey and O’Malley framework and the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Five databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, and Web of Science) and grey literature sources were searched from inception to July 2025. Eligible studies examined alcohol-based antiseptics and assessed drying methods or contact time in relation to antimicrobial efficacy. Data were synthesized thematically.
Results: Eighteen publications met inclusion criteria, comprising experimental studies, clinical guidelines, technical protocols, and reviews. Four key themes emerged: (1) Sufficient wet contact time is essential for antimicrobial efficacy; (2) Fanning or accelerated evaporation reduces microbial kill rates, particularly for Staphylococcus aureus; (3) Surgical and clinical guidelines emphasize complete natural drying due to infection and fire risk; and (4) There is a lack of clinical trials evaluating infection outcomes or real-world adherence to drying recommendations.
Conclusion: Accelerating the drying of alcohol-based antiseptics can compromise antimicrobial efficacy by shortening contact time and has no support in current guidelines. Despite its widespread use, fanning remains unvalidated and potentially harmful. There is a need for clinical research on the impact of drying practices and adherence to protocols in real-world settings.

Abstract Background: Due to the importance of disinfectant and sterilization of dental instruments, in total, 14%–28% of dentists, 13% of assistants, and 17% of healthcare workers (HCWs) have been subjected to the hepatitis B virus (HBV), and more than 200 healthcare providers (HCPs) pass away annually in the United States from HBV infection catched from their work place.
Objective: This study examined the effects of glutaraldehyde 2% on Bacillus subtilis spores in the Surgery and Microbiology Department of the Dental Branch of Islamic Azad University.
Methods: This experimental research evaluated a total of 58 samples, one called first evidence (pure glutaraldehyde not exposed to spore suspension), one called second evidence (spore suspension not exposed to glutaraldehyde), and 40 samples including a suspension with a normal turbidity of 1×108 CFU/mL according to 0.5 McFarland with exposure to glutaraldehyde 2%. Experiments were done in time intervals of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, and 60 minutes with 8 repeats. In all times, a B. subtilis spore suspension was used as evidence and also as a case.
Results: This research was done on 58 samples. The results showed that in the 10th minute there were 102 colonies, 18.6 ± 3.4 in the 15th minute, 6.2 ± 1.4 in the 20th minute, 2.1 ± 0.8 in the 25th minute, and no colonies after 30 minutes. In an overall observation, it was seen that there were more colonies in the first 10 minutes, and from 15 to 20 minutes, this amount significantly decreased; after 30 minutes in each 8 repeats, the growth of colonies had stopped completely, while in the evidence samples, B. subtilis spores grew.
Conclusion: It seems that the density of 2% glutaraldehyde in 30 minutes time was enough to destroy the spores of B. subtilis.