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Hi Chris,
 
That does surprise me a little.
 
While the risk is low, the advantages of swabbing are that it will aid in the physical removal of any skin flora, and it will make the patient much more confident in your technique.
 
Certainly blood cultures would need swabbing in any case. - there is plenty of anecdotal evidence of false positives when proper aseptic technique is not followed.
 
Do they also suggest not washing hands as the risk would appear to be similar.
 
Regards,
 
 
 
Greg Watts (M.Sc. M.A.)
Deputy Director
Clinical Laboratories
Sydney Adventist Hospital
 
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_________________________________________________________________________
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Clinical biochemistry discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Royle Chris
Sent: Tuesday, 26 August 2008 10:54 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Phlebotomy procedures

Our Trust has recently decreed that the practice of swabbing the venepuncture site with an alcohol swab is no longer necessary.

What do others do? One’s instinct is that swabbing prior to venepuncture is “safer for the patient”.

But is there any evidence base that swabbing the site is beneficial, or alternatively, that not swabbing makes no difference.

The UK National Association of Phlebotomists still follow the CLSI (formerly NCCLS) guidelines that recommend swabbing.

Any opinions, thoughts, evidence etc?

Thanks,

Chris

 

 

Chris Royle
Service Manager,
Clinical Biochemistry and Haematology Departments,
Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust,
Royal Brompton Hospital,
Sydney Street,
LONDON
SW3 6NP
phone:  + 44 (0)20 7351 8413
fax:      + 44 (0)20 7351 8416
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