Ecolab wants patients to be clean all over

The body disinfectant kit could save lives and limbs. First came hand sanitizer. Now, there's body sanitizer. This week, St. Paul-based Ecolab introduced a preoperative antiseptic bathing kit that lets patients sterilize their bodies before undergoing the knife. The kits, which contain a 4-ounce bottle of chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) skin disinfectant, two wrapped washcloths and cleaning instructions, are expected to help hospitals cut down on the alarming number of surgery-related infections. Hospitals are expected to sell the kits, which have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, for less than $40. During Ecolab's rollout this week, hospitals are being instructed to have patients scrub the night before and on the morning of their surgeries. Ecolab spokesman Mike Monahan said that health care associated... [read full story]