>Interesting comment from a patient today, a ketoacidotic diabetic. I
>cleansed the skin with an alcohol swab bit she then asked me to wipe the
>skin dry as she said that cannulation after cleansing the skin with an
>alcohol swab is more painful than cannulation of dry skin. I had never
>heard this before and wondered if this was the voice of experience from a
>frequently canulated person (20th admission in 18 months with ketoacidosis
>but thats another story) or was it her imagination ? Has anyone else had
>this experience (either as canulator or canulatee !)
>
>A controlled blinded trial beckons. Any volunteers for cannulation ?
I have noticed this both from personal subjective experience and objectively
on patients. I would always recommend (where time permits) allowing the
alcohol to dry.
If anyone doubts this feel free to try scratching your skin when dry and
when wet with isopropyl alcohol.
A different controlled trial also beckons. Sniffing a medi-swab seems to
reduce post-operative nausea!! Has anyone else noticed this?
Richard Steyn
Immediate Care Doctor/ Thoracic Surgeon
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