Not using an Alcohol swab before injections

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Question...

Today while giving vaccines to a 6 month old, I had to apply a new clean needle to one of the vaccines I was giving due to being contaminated by touching the patients skin before the actual injection was given. I definitely remember cleaning off the skin with an alcohol swab prior to the first vaccine, but I can't seem to remember if I re-cleaned the area. I do remember the skin looking a bit red and splotchy before giving the second injection, however. I'm freaking out some in thinking I could've given this baby an infection! What are some of your thoughts on this matter? I know I tend to worry about small things all the time, but this is causing me a bit of anxiety. Thank you in advance for your thoughts!

Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
blondy2061h said:
I'm sure he's not that misinformed, merely lazy or stuck in a bad habit rut and figured he could bull the lowly nurse when he got caught.

I'm not even sure he knew I was a nurse. Someone remarked that I should have told him the infection control coordinator was my aunt. (She isn't, but it might have gotten a fun reaction.)

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Specializes in ED.

I remember when I was in vet tech school, one of my professors (a veterinarian) remarked that alcohol swabs didn't really do anything as far as killing bacteria. He told us it encapsulated some of the bacteria but really didn't make anything sterile, it was mostly for show.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

The moisture and rubbing action is what is getting rid of surface dirt, (and the alcohol dries quickly). I often look at the pad after "cleaning" a site, and see plenty of dirt on the pad itself (work in an ED). If it is really dirty, I swipe with a new alcohol pad.

Bodies are a lot tougher than we give them credit for, just remember microbiology! How anyone is still alive is a mystery :roflmao:

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...and if all the comments from the previous posters didn't make you feel better, then think of this: the needle you touched the skin with was probably sterile, or at worse had the baby's own flora on it.

I wouldn't worry!

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Thank you everyone! I really need to calm down, relax and let it go or I'm in for a long, stressful career!

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