July 26, 2002

New and improved Cal Stat: It's better than soap and water

For two years, MGH clinicians have been using the waterless, alcohol-based hand gel Cal Stat to help reduce the number of hospital-acquired infections for patients and employees. With feedback from hospital employees and staff, the makers of Cal Stat have developed a new version of the product that will be introduced to the MGH at the end of this month.

To address MGHers' feedback about the product leaving a "sticky" feel, having a perfumed odor and leaving blue stains from the product's dye, the Steris Corp. developed a new and improved Cal Stat that is colorless, odorless and has a different texture. The new product was tested on five inpatient units with positive results. Because of the success of the pilot, the MGH Hand Hygiene Task Force is introducing the new Cal Stat to all inpatient and outpatient areas by July 29.

Studies have shown that alcohol-based hand gels, such as Cal Stat, are more effective than regular soap and water in removing bacteria from hands and are just as effective as medicated soap products. A small amount of Cal Stat works immediately by killing germs on contact. Use of these waterless antiseptic gels also results in improved
compliance with hand hygiene practice.
According to David C. Hooper, MD, chief of the Infection Control Unit and chair of the Hand Hygiene Task Force, the effectiveness of Cal Stat has not been diminished with the new modifications. "Cal Stat remains an excellent defense against the spread of infection," he says. "It is extremely important for all MGH clinicians to use Cal Stat before and after patient contact to combat hospital-acquired infections. It is better for our patients and for our employees and staff."

In addition to the introduction of the new Cal Stat, the MGH is instituting several programs to give clinicians the resources they need to stop the spread of hospital-acquired infections. For example, a new "precautions" status icon and menu were introduced to the Clinical Applications Suite (CAS) patient information system in June. The precautions status is denoted onscreen by a red letter "P" to alert
clinicians to follow contact precautions in preventing the transmission
of certain infections.

For more information about the Hand Hygiene Program or other infection control programs, call the Infection Control Unit at (617) 726-2036.