Rehabmart offers many different types of hand sanitizers at discount prices. Visit our hand sanitizer page to view the different products we have to offer!

As autumn gives way to winter, it's time to think about how to protect one's self from illnesses common in cold weather. Some swear by supplements, but the safest, most cost-effective way to prevent the spread of colds, flu, and other viral, bacterial, and fungal infections is to wash one's hands frequently, and health professionals should wash theirs between patients to prevent spreading germs which could cause secondary infections. Good old soap and warm water is a great way to do so if one has easy access to a sink. Alcohol- or Benzalkonium-based sanitizers are an effective alternative, but can dry out the skin and can't be used in the presence of cuts or abrasions. Soap and sanitizers both kill 99.9% of germs, but use has to be repeated when a user comes in contact with surfaces that have been exposed to germs, or if a clinician comes into contact with a patient.

Saving wear and tear on hands in the battle against infection is HandsFirst Hand Sanitizer. It was invented by Dr. Roger Huckfeldt, the medical director at St. John's Research Institute, after a conversation with a school teacher about the need to be able to have contact with the students without worrying about spreading germs around the classroom. HandsFirst provides effective hand sanitation without the drying effects of alcohol or Benzalkonium. It is also safe to use if someone has open skin, such as a paper cut.

   From library.rehabmart.com
HandsFirst has four different functions: it sanitizes, cleans, protects, and hydrates. It has been proven effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including Serratia Marcescens, the strain that a product must kill to gain FDA approval as a surgical scrub as well as approval for use by health care workers. As with traditional sanitizers, its unique patent pending process kills up to 99.9% of bacteria and viruses, including MRSA and H1N1. Unlike the other sanitizers, HandsFirst keeps eliminating regrowth of the germs on the hands as well as new germs acquired through contact with surfaces such as door handles or keyboards.

Unlike other sanitizers, Hands First has been clinically tested on humans for efficacy rather than in Petri dishes in order to replicate the complexities of the real world. The clinical study took volunteers who were in good health and had them rub an application of HandsFirst onto their hands. Three hours later, 5.4 trillion live bacteria per volunteer were applied to their hands, then collected and counted to determine how many had survived exposure to HandsFirst. Even three hours after application, HandsFirst had eliminated 99% of the applied infectious agents.

HandsFirst can be an ally for cleaning hands without water. In some facilities, cleaning with soap and water may involve a trip down the hall to a sink in a restroom. That takes time that a person may not have, such as in school settings or other situations where interaction with the public takes place, like retail stores or social service centers where the staff runs on tight schedules. When a person may have seconds between customers or clients, a quick application of HandsFirst will clean their hands as effectively as soap and water. In addition to the sanitizing ingredients, it contains cleansers to remove oils, dirt, and grime. Its self-drying formula eliminates the need for either paper or cloth towels or even an air dryer.

Another important component is an FDA-approved drug that helps to protect skin, even if there are small cuts or minor burns. It eliminates the stinging that happens frequently with the use of alcohol-based sanitizers. A clinical study of eleven nurses who suffered from redness and cracks on their hands due to frequent washing and use of alcohol-based sanitizers demonstrated 100% restoration of skin integrity after a course of HandsFirst. The facility that ran the test now offers it as an alternative to alcohol-based sanitizers for staff with sensitive skin or other reactions such as respiratory issues. By decreasing the discomfort associated with hand hygiene protocols, it has definite potential to increase compliance. 

Since frequent cleaning in any modality can cause dryness, HandsFirst also contains ingredients that help to keep the skin hydrated. Aloe vera and allatoin, two plant extracts commonly found in cosmetic skin care preparations, have been included as well. Throughout time, aloe vera has been used to heal burns and to moisturize dry areas; allatoin shields skin cracks and encourages healing. The combination helps the skin on the hands to stay hydrated, preventing cracking and redness while promoting the healing of areas with compromised integrity.

HandsFirst is also economical, not just in cutting the costs associated with illnesses and secondary infections, but on a per-use basis in comparison to alcohol-based sanitizers. Unlike the alcohol-based sanitizers that come in squirt bottles, users press down on a pump that delivers the pre-measured correct amount of HandsFirst, preventing waste.  The per-usage cost of HandsFirst was calculated at $0.0197 versus $0.0206 for the alcohol-based sanitizer.

It's also useful outside of human services, school, and health care settings. Food services could find it an easy way to keep workers' hands clean. A study done at a poultry processing plant showed that when applied properly and consistently, HandsFirst performed better than alcohol or iodine to prevent the spread of food-born germs such as salmonella.

Rehabmart carries HandsFirst by the case in a choice of 1.7 to 20 ounce bottles, the count varying with the size of the bottles. The one-liter bottles come in cases of four with a unit for wall mounting. HandsFirst delivers an economical and convenient way to keep hands clean and comfortable while preventing the spread of germs, making the winter months a little easier for everyone.


Fran Jablway,
Medical Consumer Writer
and
Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Team Leader & CEO