Lombarda H highlights the importance of thorough handwashing, which can prevent the transmission of bacteria and viruses.

THE OCCASION

On May 5, we celebrate World Hand Hygiene Day, an event made even more relevant in light of the COVID-19 emergency. Each year, the World Health Organization promotes this day to emphasize the significance of handwashing in preventing transmissible infections, especially in healthcare settings. This year, handwashing has become a frontline defense in the battle against COVID-19, a fight that involves us all.

THE COMPANY

For over 20 years, Lombarda H has produced hand and surface hygiene products for healthcare and hospital settings. The company develops and markets comprehensive professional solutions against infections, focusing on hygiene, health, and environmental considerations to deliver high-quality, reliable products.

THE SKIN

One of the skin’s primary functions is to serve as a barrier against external threats. The outermost layer, the epidermis, hosts various microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, collectively known as skin flora. This flora comprises resident and transient bacteria: while the resident flora generally protects against pathogenic bacteria, transient flora results from contact with contaminated surfaces and can lead to infections. In Italy alone, around 500,000 cases of hospital-acquired infections occur annually due to contact with contaminated objects, patients, or healthcare personnel.

HYGIENE

Hands typically carry about 300 different species of microorganisms, with bacteria density ranging from 40,000 to 500,000 per square centimeter. Because hands constantly touch contaminated objects and skin, they are a significant transmission vector for germs. Pathogen load and the moisture level on surfaces, especially hands, are key factors in infection transmission; moist hands can transfer up to 1,000 times more bacteria than dry hands. Therefore, thorough hand hygiene is crucial in controlling and reducing infections.

PRODUCTS

Lombarda H offers a wide range of products to combat infections. For example:

• LH New Clorexidina 70: An antiseptic for hands and general skin disinfection, ideal for surgical and healthcare staff.
• LH Indolore: A gentle antiseptic suitable for hand washing and patient hygiene, providing both disinfection and cleaning.
• LH Gel: A quick-evaporating, ready-to-use antiseptic for hand disinfection that requires no water.
• LH Decs Cute: An electrolytic chlorine disinfectant for skin and hands, useful for pre-injection skin disinfection.
• LH Soap: A disinfectant soap for general hand hygiene, recommended for medical staff in surgery and all areas demanding strict hand asepsis, such as hospitals, schools, and community centers.

THE PROCEDURE

Lombarda H stresses the importance of proper handwashing, which should last about 30 seconds. The steps include wetting hands, applying soap, rubbing palms, interlacing fingers, rotating thumbs, cleaning fingertips, rinsing, drying with a disposable towel, and using it to close the tap.

DISINFECTION

To effectively reduce bacterial load on hands, particularly transient bacteria, thorough handwashing remains the most effective method. Hand hygiene has been proven to decrease microorganism transmission and reduce infection frequency. Key techniques include social or hygienic washing with soap and water, antiseptic washing with disinfectant soap, alcohol-based hand rubs, and surgical scrubs.

One often overlooked source of contamination is the dispenser for hand hygiene products. Dispensers touched by unwashed hands can become breeding grounds for bacteria. The most effective solution is to use no-touch dispensers, eliminating contact and minimizing contamination risk.