What antiseptic is most commonly used for blood collections?
Among the evaluated antiseptics, isopropyl alcohol may be the optimal antiseptic for use prior to obtaining blood for culture, given its convenience, low cost, and tolerability. Blood cultures are important for the diagnosis and management of bloodstream infections.
Which is the recommended antiseptic for blood culture draw sites?
Cleanse the skin using an appropriate disinfectant, such as chlorhexidine in 70% isopropyl alcohol or tincture of iodine in swab or applicator form. The venipuncture site is not fully clean until the disinfectant has fully evaporated. Attach the needle to a syringe.
What antiseptic is used for a blood alcohol test?
While draw preparation solutions are generally considered inert and will not affect the measurands, isopropanol or ethanol-based prep pads should not be used when samples are obtained for legal blood alcohol testing. Use a non-alcohol antiseptic, such as povidone iodine.
What antiseptic can used to clean a site before a blood alcohol specimen is collected?
The venipuncture site must be cleaned with a disinfectant such as green surgical soap or hydrogen peroxide. Do not use iodine (betadine) swabs because they also contain alcohol. If used for legal reasons, a chain of custody may be required.
What is the most preferred site for venipuncture?
The most site for venipuncture is the antecubital fossa located in the anterior elbow at the fold. This area houses three veins: the cephalic, median cubital, and basilic veins (Figure 1).
What is the proper way of disinfecting the blood collection site?
In general, all guidelines clearly recommend that the skin at the venipuncture site should be cleaned with a sterile disinfectant (preferably 70% isopropyl or ethyl alcohol) applied to 5 × 5 cm gauze, swab or a cotton ball, using a firm but gentle pressure, starting from the centre of the venipuncture site and moving …
What is the recommended antiseptic for a blood culture collection site on a patient 2 months of age?
Note: Do not use ChloraPrep on patients <=2 months old. Use 70% isopropyl alcohol as a disinfectant to the venipuncture site.
How is the site cleaned for a blood culture draw?
The patient’s arm is examined and the venipuncture site is selected. The site is cleansed twice with 2 Medi-Flex ChloraPreps for 30 seconds and allowed to air dry. Once disinfected, the venipuncture site should not be touched to avoid contamination.
Why is 70% isopropyl alcohol preferred over povidone solution during disinfection in routine venipuncture?
Alcohol is preferred to povidone iodine due to the fact that blood contamination with this latter antiseptic may generate falsely increased values of potassium, phosphorus or uric acid (5).
What is the preferred antiseptic for venipuncture?
The Croatian Society of Medical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine has published national guidelines, which recommend that the venipuncture site should be accurately disinfected with 70% isopropyl alcohol or ethanol placed on sterile cotton or gauze pad before drawing blood (7).
What are the sites of blood collection?
The median cubital and cephalic veins are preferred for blood sampling, but other arm and hand veins may be used. The cephalic vein is located on the lateral (radial) side of the arm, and the basilic vein is located on the medial (ulnar) side.
What is the liquid part of SST vial?
Serum. Serum is the liquid portion of the blood obtained after a serum sample tube has been allowed to clot and is centrifuged. The serum tube may or may not contain a separator gel. The tubes that contain separator gel are commonly called Serum Separator Tubes (SST®).
