Abstract: A skin disinfecting formulation for use as a skin washing agent, comprising an alcohol, a block copolymer, a foaming surfactant, an emulsifier, a cleaning agent, a polyalkylene glycol, an emollient and water. The skin disinfecting formulation will not irritate the skin and will provide antimicrobial effectiveness to the skin.

Abstract: Sterilized povidone-iodine (polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine) in an ointment form is obtained by preparation of a mixture of purified water, povidone-iodine, a non-ionic gelling agent, and a non-ionic low suds surfactant. The ointment is a liquid in the temperature range of about 2.degree. C. to 9.degree. C. because of the influence of the non-ionic gelling agent. At room temperature, the mixture forms a free standing ointment which can be sterilized by gamma radiation without degradation of its antimicrobial efficacy, viscosity or shelf life. The ointment is easily prepared by using chilled purified water which maintains the mixture as a liquid while all of the ingredients are mixed together. At room temperature the mixture becomes a free standing ointment.

Abstract: An antimicrobial wipe composition for use as a hand washing agent, comprising an alcohol, an active antimicrobial agent, a water soluble polymer, a polyalkylene glycol, an emollient and water. The hand wipe composition does not require scrubbing, prepping, washing and rinsing, will not irritate the skin and will provide antimicrobial effectiveness to the skin.

Abstract: A dry towel or wipe comprising an absorbent paper substrate which is uniformly coated and dried with an antimicrobial formulation comprising a volatile liquid, an active antimicrobial agent, a water soluble polymer, a polyalkylene glycol an emollient and water. The treated towel is useful in providing antimicrobial effectiveness for drying skin in preparation for surgical procedures without irritating or drying the skin.

Abstract: A germicidal iodine-containing composition includes iodine, an iodophor, cupric ions and nitrite ions in an aqueous base. Iodide ions which form in the composition during radiation sterilization or prolonged shelf life are oxidized back to iodine by the cupric ions in a Ph dependent reaction which consumes hydrogen ions formed concurrently with the iodide ions. Cuprous ions formed during the oxidation are spontaneously cycled back to cupric ions by traces of air present in the composition. The composition may include nitrite ions to augment the conversion of cuprous ions back to the cupric form.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for operating a local terminal which includes a programmable computer so that the terminal executes a pre-arranged application program. More specifically, the present invention provides methods for operating a local terminal according to a pre-arranged application program which is created on a remote computer, then communicated by a communication channel to the local terminal where it is stored for execution.