Hibiwash Antimicrobial Skin Cleanser - 5 Litre Bottle

Hibiwash Antimicrobial Skin Cleanser - 5 Litre Bottle

With 4% Chlorhexidine Gluconate

Hibiwash from Mölnlycke is an antimicrobial full-body wash that bonds to and cares for skin, whilst killing microorganisms.

Hibiwash is your trusted partner in helping prevent infections, promoting skin’s integrity and saving time before performing surgical procedures.

Both Surgical Site Infections ( SSIs) and Healthcare Acquired Infections (HCAIs ) demand a coordinated approach pre-and post-surgery by healthcare professionals and their patients.

Hibiwash contains 4% Chlorhexidine Gluconate for a wide range of antimicrobial activity ^{1 2}  and has been used for many decades in hospitals.

Regular use of Hibiwash can help reduce the chance of 11 in 100 patients contracting an SSI up to 30 days after surgery ³.

It 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 ⁴.

Hibiwash is not absorbed into the skin but binds to it to form a protective layer that removes and kills microorganisms and continues to do so for a long period of time after application ^{5  6  7}. Unlike povidone iodine, Hibiwash is not inactivated by bodily fluids ⁸.

What is the difference between Hibiwash and Hibiscrub?

Hibiscrub is now Hibiwash with the same efficacy from the 4% Chlorhexidine Gluconate but no colour or fragrance.

Hibiwash has been reformulated to be a more sustainable product, using fewer raw materials and less energy in its production than Hibiscrub. The removal of colour, fragrance and traces of soya oil makes it less likely to create skin irritation or an allergic reaction and has the potential for increased compliance.

Hibiwash also contains emollients and it is gentle on the skin even with frequent use.

How does Hibiwash work?

Hibiwash contains 4% Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG) that binds to the cell walls of bacteria causing them to rupture, leading to cell death. CHG molecules bind to the proteins in human tissues and provide a layer of prolonged protection.

How should Hibiwash be used?

For external use only.

Pre-operative surgical hand disinfection

• Wet the hands and forearms, apply 5ml of Hibiwash and wash for one minute cleaning the fingernails with a brush or scraper.
• Rinse, apply a further 5ml of Hibiwash and continue washing for a further 2 minutes.
• Rinse thoroughly and dry.

Antiseptic handwash on the ward

• Wet the hands and forearms, apply 5ml of Hibiwash and wash for 1 minute.
• Rinse thoroughly and dry.

Pre-operative skin antisepsis for the patient

The patient washes their whole body in the bath or shower on at least 2 occasions, usually the day before and the day of operation as follows:

• The day before operation the patient washes with 25ml of Hibiwash beginning with the face and working downwards paying particular attention to areas around the nose, axillae, umbilicus, groin and perineum.
• The body is then rinsed and the wash repeated with a further 25ml, this time including the hair.
• Finally the patient rinses his entire body thoroughly and dries on a clean towel. This procedure should be repeated the following day.
• Patients confined to bed can be washed with Hibiwash using a standard bed-bath technique.
• Conventional disinfection of the operation site will then be performed when the patient is in theatre.

Post-operative skin antisepsis for the patients

• The patient washes their whole body, excluding the operation wound, in the bath or shower usually on the third day after operation using the procedure described above.

Children and elderly patients

• There are no special dosage recommendations for either elderly patients or children.
• The normal adult dose is appropriate unless recommended by the physician.

Hibiwash Warnings & Precautions

• Hibiwash contains chlorhexidine.
• Chlorhexidine is known to induce hypersensitivity, including generalised allergic reactions and anaphylactic shock. The prevalence of chlorhexidine hypersensitivity is not known, but available literature suggests this is likely to be very rare. Hibiwash should not be administered to anyone with a potential history of an allergic reaction to a chlorhexidine-containing compound.
• The use of chlorhexidine solutions, both alcohol based and aqueous, for skin antisepsis prior to invasive procedures has been associated with chemical burns in neonates. Based on available
  case reports and the published literature, this risk appears to be higher in preterm infants, especially those born before 32 weeks of gestation and within the fi rst 2 weeks of life.
• Remove any soaked materials, drapes or gowns before proceeding with the intervention. Do not use excessive quantities and do not allow the solution to pool in skin folds or under the patient or drip on sheets or other material in direct contact with the patient.
• Where occlusive dressings are to be applied to areas previously exposed to Hibiwash, care must be taken to ensure no excess product is present prior to application of the dressing.
• Hibiwash is flammable. Do not use with electrocautery procedures or other ignition sources until dry.
  Isopropyl alcohol may very rarely cause skin irritations such as erythema, dryness, contact allergies, burning sensation.
• For external use only. Avoid contact with the brain, meninges and middle ear. In patients with head or spinal injuries or perforated ear drum, the benefit of use in pre-operative preparation should be evaluated against the risk of contact.
• Hibiwash must not come into contact with the eye. Serious cases of persistent corneal injury, potentially requiring corneal transplant, were reported following accidental ocular exposure to chlorhexidine containing medicinal products despite taking eye protective measures due to migration of solution beyond the intended surgical preparation area. Extreme care must be taken during application to ensure that does not migrate beyond its intended application site into the eyes. Particular care should be taken in anaesthetised patients, who are unable to immediately report ocular exposure.
• If Hibiwash comes into contact with the eyes, wash out promptly and thoroughly with water. An ophthalmologist’s advice should be sought.
• Do not inject or use in body cavities.

Contents

• 1 x 5 litre bottle of Hibiwash Antimicrobial Skin Cleanser
  
  

References

1. Mölnlycke Health Care. Data on file.
2. SmPC for HibiWash UK.
3. Gillespie B.M. 2021. Worldwide incidence of surgical site infections in general surgical patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 488,594 patients. International Journal of Surgery, 95, p.106136.
4. Bode LGM et al. Preventing Surgical Site Infections in Nasal Carriers of Staphylococcus aureus. The New England Journal of Medicine 2010; 362(1): 9-17.
5. Mölnlycke Health Care. Internal Report REPR0495. Data on file.
6. Case DE., Chlorhexidine: Attempt to detect percutaneous absorption in man, Proceedings of the 9th International Congress of Chemotherapy, J.D. Williams & A.M. Geddes ED., 1976;3 (Chemotherapy): 367-374.
7. Tanner J et al. A fresh look at perioperative body washing. Journal of Infection Prevention. 2012; (13) 11 - 15.
8. Sheikh W. Comparative Antibacterial Efficacy of HiBiClens® and Betadine® in the Presence of Pus Derived from Human Wounds. Current Therapeutic Research 1986;40:6: 1096-1102.