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The concept of hand-washing to prevent infections was introduced by Ignaz Semmelweis
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Dr. Joseph Lister began using carbolic acid, also known as phenol, as an antiseptic to prevent infections in wounds.
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Lister published his successful methods for decreasing infection rates in a medical journal dubbed "The Lancet". It took 12 years for his discoveries to gain widespread acceptance.
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Ernst Von Bergmann, a German physician, is credited with introducing the sterilization of wound dressings as well as other medical equipment. His methods set the standard for modern sterilization techniques.
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William Stuart Halstead, an American surgeon, introduced sterile rubber gloves to surgery, further minimizing cross-contamination between healthcare workers and patients.
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Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, the first true antibiotic, in 1928. It took a over a decade for it to be implemented as a bacterial infection treatment.
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Cephalosporin C was isolated and tested. After finding positive results, it began to be mass produced. Cephalosporins can treat a wide variety of bacterial infections. It is similar to penicillin.
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The CDC added the use of gowns and gloves into their guidelines for preventing infections in hospitals, particularly isolation units.
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In 1985, the CDC expanded its guidelines to include face masks and eye shields in order to protect mucous membranes amongst heightened alert to exposure to blood and body fluids.
