alcohol site prep

[blufoxtrot]

I am an IV certified LPN and I have just started my paramedic class. We are starting IV's and one of the assisting instructors has painfully bad technique and teaching ability. He says to just swipe once with an alcohol prep and go in as fast as you can with the IV. He doesn't stress aseptic technique and I find that several of the students are touching the catheters before insertion. I plan on talking to my lead instructor about this but I am wondering according the the INS how long should you clean the site with alcohol before inserting and should you let it dry?

I know my answers but I want to know according to the INS so I've got some back up. Thanks as always.

[Aliakey]

There are many times I'm proud to be an EMT-I, and then there are times when I wish all I can do is appologize over and over for us.

Kelly911, if you haven't done so already, that instructor needs to be corrected in some sort of respectful manner. If he doesn't heed the advice of the "standard of care" (whichever reference is used to show him), you need to go higher up. I didn't realize I was doing piss-poor IV techniques *until* an RN kindly showed me in the ER; she showed no anger, but was extremely helpful knowing that some folks are just worthless teachers.

Keep in mind, most instructors are also "still in the field" to maintain their certification/license and skills. If they are working for an EMS or any ambulance service, they have a Medical Director (physician) to answer to. I've gone that route when the hardheaded instructor decided to plant his heels, and the Medical Director handled the situation well. It's his/her medical license on the line, so there's a lot at stake.

Without some sort of action/education to change what is wrong, the fresh-outta-school medics may never learn unless specifically pulled aside by another medical professional, whether it be another medic, nurse, or physician. I was very fortunate, for this RN understood what was going on in my education, and had the courage and patience to help, instead of taking the easy route of just bad-mouthing medics. Thanks is not enough for what she did for me, and my future patients.

Good luck!

[dauschundlover]

chloraprep is the preferred choice for cleansing prior to iv insertion. 30 second scrub on a dry area, one minute scrub on a wet area, allow to dry then insert the catheter.