Efficacy of Dermal Antisepsis

Abstract

To the Editor: In his article (New Eng J Med 283:1384–1391, 1970) on hospital-acquired infections, Feingold points out the importance of gram-negative bacilli in nosocomial infections. He also states that antiseptic skin scrubs are effective in reducing the density of bacteria in the normal flora of the skin, and suggests that these measures may constitute "worthwhile prophylaxis for the compromised host." Published data indicate that elimination of the normal skin flora may be counterproductive for the host, particularly regarding gram-negative organisms. After daily use of hexachlorophene on newborn infants, Sarkarny and Arnold¹ observed suppression of resident skin flora with no . . .