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http://www.hospitalandagedcare.com.au/news/ambos-use-aussie-hand-gel

Ambos use Aussie hand gel

14 May 2012

An Australian antimicrobial hand gel has been introduced to the NSW Ambulance Service, after a paramedic experienced skin irritations with the organisation’s existing hand sterilising gel.

An Australian antimicrobial hand gel has been introduced to the NSW Ambulance Service, after a paramedic experienced skin irritations with the organisation's existing hand sterilising gel.

The news of the ambos use of the SunnyWipes hand gel coincides with a Safe Work Australia a report suggesting occupational contact dermatitis is costing more than $33 million a year.

NSW Ambulance Paramedic, Peter Van Winden, says he introduced SunnyWipes to the service, after one of his patients asked about his affected hands.

"It was purely by accident. We attended to a patient and he noticed my hands and asked what I used for hand sanitiser.

"I said none, because the current products affect my hands harshly. They're like paint stripper due to their petroleum content, drying my hands and making them crack.

"He then says he is marketing an all-natural, Australian hand gel," Van Winden says.

"Having had treatment for contact dermatitis and contacting our in-house OH&S, I came to the conclusion, that the products the Ambulance Service were using were too harsh for my hands. I could not use, any product containing petroleum products and needed to just use cold water and pat them dry.

"Anything with petroleum would dry my hands out whether it was a solution or a gel type product," Van Winden says. He added his condition started when the Ambulance service changed the types of gloves it used and he developed a serious case of cellulitis.

"So a dermatologist recommended I avoid such products, minimise the use of gloves and use plenty of hand cream to maintain moisture to prevent them from cracking. I have been using the Australian product and I find I have less episodes of cracking and splits in my fingers, less drying of my fingers and hands," he says.

SunnyWipes',Paul Cross, says the product has now been proven in the professional market.

"SunnyWipes have now been supplying product, with an easy to use carabiner clip for their utility belt, to the NSW Ambulance, since September 2011.The response has been positive with more than 4000 clips distributed to Ambulance staff

"The Antimicrobial Hand Gel and our other similar products and wipes, are all TGA registered. ," Cross says.