Here's the deal on alcohol wipes

[Gail in Ca]

I spoke to my nurse friend about the use of alcohol wipes before testing.
She said it works for 30 seconds and after that, it must be done again!
Another bit of wisdom I didn't know after all these years. I tried counting as I tested myself and sure enough, 45 seconds had gone by after I used the wipe before the machine told me to poke myself. So, now I wait before using the alcohol and it has been good.
Just wanted to pass this along.

 

[CThrock]

My INR nurse told me you have to wipe the alcohol off before you poke. It can change your reading if you don't. Thought that made sense so thats what I do.

 

[Dina]

I spoke to my nurse friend about the use of alcohol wipes before testing.
She said it works for 30 seconds and after that, it must be done again!
.

I never heard that, unless you accidently brushed against something or
there is a draft that might carry particles,etc. Blowing on it is also not
in keeping with sterility either. It may be possible though that the microbes
that were on the skin originally are able to recolonize it that amount of time..
..I'd like to know if you can find out.

My INR nurse told me you have to wipe the alcohol off before you poke. It can change your reading if you don't. Thought that made sense so thats what I do.

It does makes sense,but use a sterile pad to wipe it off,just in case.

As you all know..I'm intensely scared of endocarditis!
So many times when the techs take blood,they use the alcohol pad,
and then use their unsterile finger to feel for a vein,then they grab
the syringe ,and I say Hey!! wait a sec. Use another pad please

 

[Karlynn]

I just wash my hands with soap and water.

 

[Ross]

I roll in asbestos and oil, then test. Works great for me!

 

[Bina]

I am more concerned with the lab testing which is poking directly into the vein.
That BETTER be sterile.
However, on my own tester, in my own home, NOT going into a large arm vein, I just make sure to wash my hands with soap and rinse well.
Of course, I just may try rolling in asbestos and oil with Ross.

 

[Lisa in Katy]

I think Ross should use hot tar and feathers! Or perhaps honey and fire ants!

 

[Karlynn]

I roll in asbestos and oil, then test. Works great for me!

Really? I always get an error reading when I do that.

 

[netmiff]

my machine's instructions say no alcohol, wash in hot water; the hot water also brins the blood to the top of the skin, and you get a faster, bigger blob

never tried the asbestos and oil, wondering if there's any special kind of oil- cooking oil, engine oil, hot oil; I would imagine not soy oil, 'cos we all know that soy can affect INR .....

 

[Gail in Ca]

The antiseptic properties of the alcohol last 30 seconds. That's what she told me today.
And yes it must be dry before the poke.

 

[Ross]

And yes it must be dry before the poke.

Are you telling me I've been doing it wrong all these years?

 

[Lisa in Katy]

I thought I posted this but maybe I didn't. When I first started going to the lab (11 years ago last Tuesday), they would always start drawing a purple tube and then switch to the blue tube, throwing the purple tube away. I asked why because we hadn't done this when I was working as a Phelbotomist, and the tech said that the first part of the draw wasn't accurate for INR. They haven't done that in quite a while, so I guess they changed their minds.

It just makes me go "hmmmm....." I just don't picture germs waiting to jump on my finger 30 seconds after I use an alcohol wipe.

 

[Ross]

I thought I posted this but maybe I didn't. When I first started going to the lab (11 years ago last Tuesday), they would always start drawing a purple tube and then switch to the blue tube, throwing the purple tube away. I asked why because we hadn't done this when I was working as a Phelbotomist, and the tech said that the first part of the draw wasn't accurate for INR. They haven't done that in quite a while, so I guess they changed their minds.

It just makes me go "hmmmm....." I just don't picture germs waiting to jump on my finger 30 seconds after I use an alcohol wipe.

That's the way one tech did mine and then they stopped it. I complained that they weren't following protocol and came to find out that they discovered it was unnecessary and a waste of tube or unnecessary expense.