Examining bacteria on skin and jewelry since the implementation of hand sanitizer in hospitals.

Nurses currently disinfect their hands with antibacterial soap and hand sanitizer. This comparative, descriptive study evaluated skin bacteria at baseline and 30 days after jewelry removal in intensive care unit nurses. Identified bacteria species were: (1) Bacillus, (2) Micrococcus, (3) coagulase negative Staphylococcus, (4) Diphtheroid, ( 5) Streptococcus, and (6) nonenteric gram-negative rods. The majority of the bacteria was found on skin at baseline. Bacterial counts significantly decreased at 30 days.