FORUM However, the knowledge generated at the HARTMANN SCIENCE CENTER does not flow in just one direction: the experts at the center – a team of biologists specialised in applied science, communication, training and expert consultancy – are always willing to listen to what might seem like ‘minor’ issues: ‘Since the COVID-19 pandemic, excessive glove consumption and, above all, the use of gloves where not indicated has been a major issue in many healthcare settings,’ says Dr Heide Niesalla, Head of the HARTMANN SCIENCE CENTER. ‘We therefore used International Hand Hygiene Day on 5 May 2025 to highlight the issue and provide information materials.’ The aim is to raise awareness among healthcare professionals about using gloves at the right time. ‘This exemplifies our approach: we identified a problem, gathered evidence and then considered how best to support people in practice.’ From practice for practice: this is how the HARTMANN SCIENCE CENTER works When it becomes apparent that there is an unresolved hygiene issue, the Applied Science Team takes charge of the technical research. This is often done in close cooperation with other departments at BODE Chemie GmbH, part of the HARTMANN GROUP, such as microbiology, product development, product management and marketing. The work is based on published studies, standards and guidelines, and in particular on close collaboration with external experts from the healthcare sector. In the next step, the results are presented in a way that best reaches potential users, for example as a publication in a specialist journal, a conference paper, a white paper, an infographic or a ‘Knowledge Nugget’ – a short, graphically animated piece of content that presents complex topics in a simple way and thus reaches its target audience primarily via social media. These knowledge formats are accompanied by reports across the various communication channels of the HARTMANN SCIENCE CENTER: the website, the newsletter, the magazine ‘DISINFACTS‘, conference papers, lectures, workshops, training courses, or via YouTube. The catalyst: 15 seconds for hand disinfection? One example of the impact of this work is the discussion regarding the rub-in time for hygienic hand disinfection: ‘The approval of hand disinfectants for hygienic hand disinfection is based on the EN 1500 standard. This requires efficacy to be tested within 30 seconds. In practice, however, hands are rubbed for significantly less time,‘ says Heide Niesalla, Head of the HARTMANN SCIENCE CENTER. ‘We were able to demonstrate that both an ethanol-based and a propanol-based formulation can meet the standard’s requirements in just 15 seconds – and in doing so, we sparked a discussion across the entire market.‘ The results were published and widely discussed. Subsequently, the Association for Applied Hygiene (VAH) initiated an interlaboratory test. The conclusion was that testing in accordance with EN 1500 is also methodologically possible in just 15 seconds! The HARTMANN SCIENCE CENTER study provides the scientific basis for a possible amendment to the standard. The company is also driving innovation in the field of sustainability. One example was the launch of the Bacillol® Zero Tissues, a surface disinfectant wipe, which combines a sustainable cellulose15 years of the HARTMANN SCIENCE CENTER Scientifically sound. Practical to use. How much disinfectant concentrate is needed to prepare three litres of a 0.75% working solution? The ‘Concentrate Calculator’ on the HARTMANN SCIENCE CENTER website provides the answer in seconds: in this case, it is 22.5 ml! This example illustrates the HARTMANN SCIENCE CENTER’s approach: hygiene knowledge should be practical, understandable and applicable in everyday life, in order to effectively protect patients and healthcare staff from infectious agents and to use resources sensibly. Gloves on! When medical disposable gloves are required To protect against potentially pathogenic microorganisms Please note: When? Why? Direct patient contact Indirect patient contact Blood sampling Handling non-intact skin Contact with secretions Presence of highly infectious pathogens Excretions/body fluids Gloves are necessary if there is a risk of high exposure to blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions or contaminated environment. If there is cross-contamination due to perforation and/or contamination of gloves, a glove change is indicated. Wearing gloves does not replace hand disinfection. Avoid contact between gloves and your own face/hair. 1 2 3 Handling endocavitary probes Cleaning/disinfecting contaminated surfaces* Handling infectious material/chemicals* Handling medical waste* Unnecessary glove use … Additional indications: Blood sugar measurement, placement of non-invasive ventilation devices and oxygen cannulas, bathing/ dressing/washing*/applying lotion*/combing/shaving patients, positioning patients, care of eyes/ears (without secretions), vascular manipulations (without blood flow), distributing/collecting meal trays, oral medication administration, changing bed linen/arranging beds etc. *except for the anogenital region and antimicrobial washing Sources: 1. RKI, Epid Bull 2024;10:6-9. 2. WHO (2009) Glove Use Information Leaflet. 3. Fuller et al. (2011) ICHE, 32(12):1194-9. Gloves off! When medical disposable gloves are not required When not? Gloves are not strictly necessary if there is no risk of a high exposure to blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, or contaminated environment. Why not? Direct patient contact Otoscopy Administration of ID, SC, and IM injections (e.g. vaccinations) Patient washing* Auscultation Measuring blood pressure, temperature, pulse ... worsens hand hygiene compliance, thereby contributing to the spread of nosocomial infections. ... impairs interpersonal relationships. 1 2 ... leads to skin damage due to occlusion effect. 3 ... increases unnecessary waste production. 4 Additional indications: Epidemic or emergency situations, PVC placement and removal, suctioning non-sealed endotracheal tube systems, etc. *Chemical resistance tested according to EN ISO 374-1 and -2, EN ISO 374-4 and -5, EN16523-1, additional intended use as Personal Protective Equipment under PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425 and EN ISO 21420. Sources: 1. RKI, Epid Bull 2024;10:6-9. 2. WHO (2009) Glove Use Information Leaflet. Indirect patient contact Serving food/drinks Documentation tasks Moving patient beds Operating electronic devices Pushing wheelchairs Note: Follow PPE regulations. 12
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