Hand sanitizers are #1 in a practice’s infection prevention protocol to prevent disease transmission. That’s why the FDA’s warning to consumers about toxic hand sanitizers on the market has been so concerning.
Some orthodontic practices turned to consumer-grade hand sanitizers available in retail stores when FDA-approved healthcare products went out of stock with their suppliers. Which means orthodontic staff could be using these toxic products every day, multiple times a day, as they strive to maintain infection prevention best practices amid COVID-19.
In this episode of In the Sterilization Room with Jackie, infection prevention expert Jackie Dorst goes through the FDA’s warning about the dangers posed by alcohol-based hand sanitizers containing methanol. She talks about the health risks of methanol—sometimes also referred to as wood alcohol—which is toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested; and reminds practices that they need to check the safety of the products they use.
Jackie also provides some reminders about basic hand hygiene for orthodontic staff—including a demonstration of her hand hygiene dance. OP
Links mentioned in the video:
- FDA updates on hand sanitizers consumers should not use: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-updates-hand-sanitizers-consumers-should-not-use
- 2002 CDC Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Health-Care Settings: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5116.pdf
