djblackburn

I have found plenty of information stating that if SKIN is cleansed prior to injection or cannulation, then it should be cleansed for 30 sconds and left to dry for 30 seconds (this is also stated in the Royal Marsden), so I have obviously assumed that it is the same for anything that is cleansed prior to use. I suppose it is also down to local policies, I just wondered if anyone else was using the same technique as myself.

Wonder if anyone can help. When cleansing a catheter port or area of the skin prior to cannulation etc. Should the area be cleansed for 30 seconds and allowed to dry for 30 seconds or have I just made this up in my own head? I am currently having a discussion with a colleague regarding this matter. This is the way I was taugtht when I first qualified (Sept '05). However my colleague says as long as the area is cleansed for just a few seconds and allowed to dry, this is sufficient. Although this would certainly save me time, I want to ensure that this practice is safe to use. Please help. I have searched on the internet and there are a few things to support my practice, but not enough to reassure me that my practice is necessary. Thanks:uhoh3:

Hi there. I am amazed that none of you guys have heard of Aseptic None Touch Technique (ANTT). Yes it probably is the new buzz term for what we are already doing, but to give it a new name and re cascade the practice of this technique surely can't do any harm in our never ending fight agains Hospital Aquired Infections. We have all been trained and assessed for competency in the hospital in which I work and it is now widely used. Evidence is in abundance on the net.