Clipper usage in jail

[JudyCT]

I am still fairly new to correctional but was surprised that inmates share nail clippers and apparently there is no protocol for sanitation. How do other jails handle this? Sanitize? Individual clippers?

Thanks for any help.

Judy

[military spouse]

I worked in one state where they were soaked in two solutions then autoclaved. Where I work now, they are placed in a cup of alcohol. The inmates in this state have access to small clippers on the tier, but come to medical to use the larger ones or the ones that look like cuticle cutters.

[geode19947]

We soak them in a cup of rubbing alochol, too.

[JudyCT]

Just a note of thanks for those who responded to my question. Nice people!!

[NurseLite]

Just a note of thanks for those who responded to my question. Nice people!!

Yep ... Welcome to jail! LOL

[nursejudy15209]

let's talk about those clippers. well, the inmates tell me that they are not properly sterilized! they seem rough as i can tell by the reddish skin they leave behind. no wonder many opt to grow hair naturally!

seems inhumane, but as many times as those inmates lie about other stuff, they have nothing to gain by lying about the condition of the clippers.

very unsanitary and we, as med nurses are not even permitted to dole out antibiotic ointment (not even the little packetts). here's the rule of thumb from the allegheny county jail "if any article, medication, ointment, cream comes from our side of the "fence" it must be ordered by the doctor. there are too many inmates with red marks from the clippers and i do not have time to call the doctor for such a minor thing. even the infirmary nurses would laugh at me if i would suggest such a thing.

i simply tell the guys to wash the area good with sanitizing soap and use cold water. that's the best i can do.

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

We soak and autoclave ours between uses.