[PsychRN-Kris]

What is your employer's policy and procedure on fingerstick blood glucose testing?

My employer doesn't have a policy and procedure on this and my co-workers and I are all in debate as to whether it is okay to clean the finger w/ alcohol wipes, as long as you let the finger dry, versus having the patient wash their hands. Is there documented evidence that alcohol interferes w/ results?

I've searched the ADA and CDC for their recommendations but haven't found anything yet. If anyone can point me to some documented guidelines I'd appreciate it!

[all4schwa]

Alcohol will give you false low. Where I work they say that washing with soap and water may be preferable to waiting for alcohol to dry. But if you have clean 2x2 ready to dry up any blood, I cant see why you cant dry the alcohol with that.

[luvmy2angels]

I agree with the above, alcohol does give a false low if it isn't given the time to dry before getting the blood sample. I always take in a small piece of gauze to use after pricking the finger and usually wipe the finger with that after using alcohol just to make sure the finger is completely dry.

[RNsRWe]

I was taught that the alcohol can and does interfere with BG accuracy.

Our techs all know to allow a few extra seconds for the alcohol to dry before taking the stick. I've watched them do it, without them knowing I was "watching" them, and they do it correctly, so I'm happy

[SuesquatchRN]

We wipe off the alcohol with a cotton ball and it works well.

[crissrn27]

We allow it to dry before sticking.

[neneRN]

We wipe away the first drop of blood before testing.

[FutureNurse35]

The medical surgical textbook that I am using says, alcohol should not be used when taking BG to wipe finger. Soap and water should be used instead.

[LanaBanana]

As a phlebotomist in my former life, I was taught that alcohol should be used and allowed to dry. A lot of people use alcohol to clean and then either wipe it off or blow on it to dry. But it is the drying action of the alcohol that kills germs so it should be allowed to dry naturally (only takes a couple of seconds) and shouldn't be blown on (you're just blowing the germs from your mouth!) If it's not allowed to dry properly, it is a sugar and will elevate the results.

[1776patriot]

Originally Posted by LanaBanana

As a phlebotomist in my former life, I was taught that alcohol should be used and allowed to dry. A lot of people use alcohol to clean and then either wipe it off or blow on it to dry. But it is the drying action of the alcohol that kills germs so it should be allowed to dry naturally (only takes a couple of seconds) and shouldn't be blown on (you're just blowing the germs from your mouth!) If it's not allowed to dry properly, it is a sugar and will elevate the results.

I have found the opposite to be true. If the alcohol isn't allowed to dry then it makes a lower reading. When I worked as an NT one of the nurses I worked under was in a hurry and got her own patient's BS and did wait for the alcohol to dry. Her reading was in the 50's. She realized her mistake and it rechecked it. It was then showing in the 90's.