I would prefer to use a plain alcohol swab to remove skin oils, dried
blood, tape residue, etc. before applying Chloraprep. My reference is
the CDC guidelines because they state to begin with clean skin. Prior
to a skin and vein puncture, you can wash the skin with soap and
water, but after the puncture alcohol swabs are easier as you really
can't wash the area. Chloraprep does contain alcohol but the idea of
removing all the extra debris would make the Chloraprep more
effective as it would penetrate the layers of the epidermis better.
Lynn
At 9:18 AM -0600 12/2/05, Adams, Lorim wrote:
I am from an infusion center in NC. We are using the chloroprep frep
with our central line dressing changes. We seem to recall we were
instructed to clean the site with alcohol and then the chloroprep.
Is anyone aware of this and if so do you have any literature to
support this? We are having a "debate" at our hospital about this.
Thank you for time. I have been a "lurker" on the site for a long
time and have received valuable information in the past.
Michele Adams RN
--
Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RNC, CRNI
Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc.
126 Main Street, PO Box 10
Milner, GA 30257
http://www.hadawayassociates.com
office 770-358-7861
