GOJO Advances Patient and Healthcare Worker Safety with Newest Hand Hygiene Innovations
Offering Healthcare Facilities a Complete Portfolio of Triclosan-Free Solutions
On Dec. 19, 2017, the U.S. FDA announced its final rule on certain antimicrobial active ingredients allowed for use in hand hygiene products in healthcare settings. In this rule, the FDA determined that 24 active ingredients, including triclosan, can no longer be used in over-the-counter healthcare skin antiseptics, as of Dec. 20, 2018.
The FDA is seeking additional data and has granted a deferral for six other active ingredients – ethyl alcohol (ethanol), isopropyl alcohol, povidone-iodine, benzalkonium chloride (BAK), benzethonium chloride (BEC) and chloroxylenol (PCMX) – as they collect additional data on these ingredients.
In its press release, the FDA stated this does not mean that products containing these six ingredients are ineffective or unsafe. The agency reinforced that healthcare antiseptic products remain an important resource in healthcare settings, and healthcare workers should continue to use them, consistent with infection control guidelines. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers as well as hand soaps are critical to improving healthcare worker and patient safety by reducing the spread of germs in healthcare settings.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidelines for Healthcare Have Not Changed
Hand hygiene is considered the single most important measure for preventing the spread of infection in healthcare settings. The 2002 CDC Hand Hygiene Guidelines for Healthcare recommend alcohol-based hand sanitizers as the primary hand hygiene method. These guidelines have not changed. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers, like PURELL® Advanced Hand Sanitizer, which is triclosan-free, remain the gold standard for hand hygiene in healthcare.
Committed to Developing Safe and Effective Hand Hygiene Solutions for Healthcare
GOJO has a long history of developing safe, effective and sustainable hand hygiene solutions as part of our Purpose – Saving Lives and Making Life Better Through Well-Being Solutions. We relentlessly pursue scientific advancements to develop safe, effective hand hygiene solutions that help save lives, improve quality of care, and enhance patient and healthcare worker safety.
GOJO offers a full portfolio of hand hygiene solutions that meets FDA requirements and includes both antimicrobial and non-antimicrobial soaps, surgical hand rubs, and PURELL® Advanced Hand Sanitizer. This allows facilities to choose the best hand hygiene option to meet their needs.
Proactive Phase Out of Triclosan Soaps
GOJO has not formulated a new soap with triclosan since 2011, and began phasing out healthcare soaps with triclosan for use in the United States in advance of the FDA final rule.
We support the FDA’s evidence-based approach. GOJO invests in state-of-the art science and technology, and will continue to deliver new, innovative hand hygiene solutions to the healthcare market.