Hibiscrub

Hibiscrub

Hibiscrub® antimicrobial skin cleanser has been used for more than 45 years in hospitals around the world to help manage infection. It is used for pre-operative surgical hand disinfection, antiseptic hand washing on the ward, and pre- and post-operative skin antisepsis for patients undergoing elective surgery.

Containing 4% w/v chlorhexidine gluconate, Hibiscrub is effective against a wide range of microbes, including several strains of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, yeast, fungi and viruses, and reduces bacterial load more efficiently than povidone iodine. Hibiscrub has also been shown to significantly decrease the risk of hospital-associated S aureus infections by up to 60% when used in combination with a nasal antibiotic.

Hibiscrub is not absorbed into the skin, but binds to it to form a protective layer that kills bacteria within one minute, and continues to do so for up to six hours after application. Unlike povidone iodine, Hibiscrub is not inactivated by bodily fluids.

Hibiscrub has been dermatologically tested, and is proven to be gentle on the skin, even with frequent use. This is significant because repeated application of Hibiscrub has been shown to increase its antimicrobial efficacy.