We have learned terms like 'sterile,' 'commensal,' 'contaminants,' 'germs,' 'microorganisms,' and 'infection' over the last week and in the lab. Why is it important for a health care personnel to clean the surface of a patient's skin before drawing a blood sample? Why is it important for a health care personnel to change his gloves and sanitize his hands between patients?
We have learned terms like 'sterile,' 'commensal,' 'contaminants,' 'germs,' 'microorganisms,' and 'infection' over the last week and in the lab. Why is it important for a health care personnel to clean the surface of a patient's skin before drawing a blood sample? Why is it important for a health care personnel to change his gloves and sanitize his hands between patients?
The skin surface should be sterilised before puncturing it with injection to draw blood sample as it may remove the bacteria which might be pushed into the skin from the surface and might cause an infection.
Because even though the skin might not be visibly dirty, it might have contaminants, germs or microbes on it which are invisible to naked eyes.
If the skin is visibly soiled, then it should be cleaned thoroughly by using soap and water.
The skin can be sterilised by chlorhexidine in 70% isopropyl alcohol or tincture of iodine (betadine).
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