Fingerstick Glucose Testing-Do Alcohol Wipes Interfere w/ Results?

Published

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!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro ICU, Neuro/Trauma stepdown.

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.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics.

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.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

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 :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

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

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in nursery, L and D.

We allow it to dry before sticking.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency, Trauma.

We wipe away the first drop of blood before testing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

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.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Level III cardiac/telemetry.

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.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
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.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds,ER, Management, Critical Care.

We just wipe with alcohol and allow to air dry.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds Cardiology,Peds Neuro,Pedi ER,PICU, IV Jedi.

The short answer to your question is YES, alcohol DOES affect the results if not dry prior to testing. Allow the alcohol to air dry prior to sticking and there will be no problem.

The reason alcohol is used, as opposed to "just" soap and water, is that alcohol is a more thorough clean - and it is the practitioner who's doing the cleaning. This allows us to get the finger free of any oils, grease, dirt, et cetera that patients may have accumulated during their stay.

If you leave it up to the patient to clean with just soap and water..how clean do you think they're going to get??

Have a great day.

vamedic4

I love Spring;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion