GMS Hygiene and Infection Control (Feb 2020)
Requirements for hygienically safe, environmentally friendly dispensers for hand disinfectants and hand washing preparations
Abstract
Aim: Requirements make it practically impossible to refill the original container of hand disinfectants and hand washing preparations for dispensers that are fitted in doctors’ surgeries and hospitals. Therefore, dispensers are usually fitted with disposable containers. However, a number of disadvantages are associated with their use. The dispensers are often incompatible with refill containers from different manufacturers. The pump system and dispenser must be reprocessed after being fitted. Furthermore, the air suction of the pump can lead to internal contamination during operation. Therefore, proposals for developing a new generation of disposable containers are made.Methods: Based on the recommendation from the at the Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, regarding hand hygiene, the recommended requirements for disinfectant dispensers were analysed to propose how can they be implemented Results and discussion: Flexible, transparent bags are proposed as disposable containers, based on the following advantages vs. rigid disposable containers. As the volume decreases, the bag shrinks correspondingly until it is completely empty. This means that the fill level is always clearly visible. Negative pressure can be applied to the bag. Caused by the negative pressure in the bag, the disinfectant is released onto the hand and a pump head is not required. The empty bag is disposed of using the outlet. This eliminates the need to reprocess both the pump head and the dispenser. Depending on the type of dispenser, the disinfectant can be removed manually or without coming into contact with it. Compared to a rigid dispenser system, material savings can be achieved if the new system is carefully designed. It is mandatory that the bag be made of recyclable or biodegradable material.Conclusion: With the proposed technological solution, it is possible to create an alternative, hygienically safe, environmentally friendly dispenser for hand disinfectants and hand washing preparations.
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