I want the answer

[pansyrose]

I want to know is there contraindication to clean the skin with alcohol swab before giving clexan or insulin.

Please I want clear answer with explanation .thank you

[mentalhealthRN]

I did staff education as one of my jobs and did a lot of research on the topic...as the nurses had mixed thoughts on the practice.

This is what I found. It is best to clean the area with alcohol. Allow it to air dry--if time allows, as in an emergency this is not always possible--being sure not to blow on the area as this will just re-contaminate the area. Briskly dry the area with a clean gauze pad as this will remove any ETOH left on the skin to eliminate the sting of alcohol when you puncture the skin, as well as increase the blood flow the the area. Puncture the skin and wipe the first drop with a clean gauze as you don't want to test that first drop in case there is any ETOH in the sample which will skew the result. Collect the next drop to test then hold pressure with the dry gauze to stop bleeding. Do not use the ETOH swab (as I have seen nurses do) as this is an open wound and it will sting.

Hope this helps.

[Flo., BSN, RN]

What does your textbook and evidence based research say?

[kgh31386, BSN, MSN, RN]

Agreed, let us know what you find and think, then we'll let you know what we know and think. Make sure it's a clear answer with an explanation.

[pansyrose]

when i go to give pt her dose of insulin i hold with me alcohol swab and when senior nurse see me tell me why you had alcohol swab no need for this with insulin injection, i tell hem : why not? he tell me that this well increase blood flow to the area and this not allow with insulin injection.

[BluegrassRN]

We clean all injection sites with alcohol prior to giving insulin, sub q blood thinners, etc.

Why don't you ask your senior nurse for a reference for that information? I would guess the standard is to clean with alcohol. The exception is newborns; when I worked in the nursery, we cleaned their skin with a saline swab prior to injections.

[JROregon, ASN, BSN, RN]

My book states that you need to wipe the area with an antiseptic swab in a circular motion (starting in the center and moving out) to clean off any dirt or secretions. The mechanical action is meant to remove dirt, not to increase blood flow. The alcohol needs to dry before giving the injection.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Wouldn't it be more polite to ask nicely?????

It is just to clean skin.......you could use soap and water but the cute little packages are cute and easy.

[doublehelix]

My class was taught NOT to use alcohol swabs because people will rarely let the finger dry before sticking & cause irritation, alter the result (not majorly but I guess still noticeably.) As with anything, soap and water is the best method so it makes sense to me. As long as you teach your patients the proper way to wash their hands it should be fine. You have to wash your hands as well before giving the injection, so you may as well do some teaching!

We were also told that it really depends on hospital policy, so It will differ with which school you're in, and the hospital you are doing your clinical

[JROregon, ASN, BSN, RN]

doublehelix said:

My class was taught NOT to use alcohol swabs because people will rarely let the finger dry before sticking & cause irritation

Since when do you give an insulin injection into the finger? Maybe I need to look in my book again.

[doublehelix]

JROregon said:

doublehelix said:

My class was taught NOT to use alcohol swabs because people will rarely let the finger dry before sticking & cause irritation

Since when do you give an insulin injection into the finger? Maybe I need to look in my book again.

My bad, I misread the entire thread as checking for blood glucose levels, completely missed the injection especially after seeing comments about cleaning with soap and water. Oops!

[systoly]

There's nothing wrong with using an alcohol wipe and it is more effective than soap and water, but only if the alcohol is allowed to dry completely. In some cases, such as PPD test, not letting the alcohol dry completely not only inhibits antimicrobial action, but can negatively affect the result.

P.S. I wasn't going to respond at first, because your post comes across as demanding, even rude, until it becomes evident that you are struggling with English. English is my second language, so I know what it's like. My suggestion is replace "want' with "seek" and say something like, "Please give me your rationale along with your answer"

BTW, keep posting and reading, it will help with your English.