USP <55> Revision
Effective August 1, 2016, USP <55> Biological Indicators-Resistance Performance Tests requires testing of four (4) paper carriers (i.e. spore strips) to be tested individually to verify the total viable spore count for population.
CHG Compatibility
Now offering CHG Compatibility Test using the Ex Vivo Porcine Skin Test to evaluate the effectiveness of a topical hand hygiene anti-microbial product and its compatibility with a hand-rub formulation; ASTM E2897
This method is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a topical anti-microbial hand-wash formulations (i.e.; surgical scrubs like Chlorhexidine Gluconate [CHG]) and its compatibility with topical hand-rubs (moisturizers, lotions) using porcine skin as surrogate model. Alternately, this method can also be used to directly determine the effectiveness of an anti-microbial agent in a topical hand-wash product.
Topically applied surgical scrub formulations such as CHG are widely used in healthcare facilities. Because of the drying effect of these products, healthcare givers may follow the washing procedure with an application of a moisturizing agent. However, these moisturizers may adversely affect the anti-microbial product, thus reducing its effectiveness. It is essential to test the compatibility of such moisturizing hand-rub products with the anti-microbial products.