EPA-registered tuberculocidal disinfectants and solutions of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (household bleach) diluted between 1:10 and 1:100 with water are considered appropriate for this purpose.
Protease enzymatic cleaners work best for blood removal.
Although topical 1.0% alcohol/chlorhexidine gluconate (ACHX) reduces blood culture contamination more effectively than 10% aqueous povidone‐iodine (PVI), 4 , 5 both agents are routinely applied at our institution as topical disinfectants before blood sampling.
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.
Chlorhexidine-based disinfectants are widely used and are the preferred disinfection agent for donors who are sensitive to iodine1. ChloraPrep One is the primary method for skin disinfection at Canadian Blood Services4 and elsewhere12.
For small spills of blood (i.e., drops of blood) on noncritical surfaces, the area can be disinfected with a 1:100 dilution of 5.25%-6.15% sodium hypochlorite or an EPA-registered tuberculocidal disinfectant.
Cleaning with a dilute bleach solution (10 percent bleach is best: one part bleach to nine parts water) is very effective at disinfecting. Rubbing alcohol and most home cleaners like Lysol are not.
Herbal Decoctions: Green tea, aloe vera, and chamomile are examples of herbal remedies that have been used in place of chlorhexidine. These provide anti-inflammatory benefits in addition to microbial control.
The product used most often to cleanse and disinfect the site prior to venipuncture is 70% isopropyl alcohol in towelette form.
Wipe up the spill as much as possible with paper towel or other absorbent material. Gently pour bleach solution – 1 part bleach to 9 parts water – onto all contaminated areas. Let bleach solution remain on contaminated area for 20 minutes and then wipe up remaining bleach solution.
Cleaning staff should use equipment dedicated to biohazard cleanup. This equipment should not be used for cleaning common areas. A spill kit typically includes absorbent materials, disinfectants, tongs or forceps, biohazard bags, buckets, and launderable mop heads.
The most effective method is to use hydrogen peroxide, an oxidizing agent that removes old blood stains via a chemical reaction, breaking it down.
Vinegar: White vinegar can break down blood stains while also disinfecting the area.
To avoid the potential for false positive blood cultures, properly disinfect the puncture site as follows: 1. Cleanse the skin with 70% alcohol (30 sec), then swab concentrically with 2% iodine solution (60 sec). Allow to dry.
Video evidence demonstrates that human erythrocytes take active part in blood bactericidal action and can repeatedly engulf and kill bacteria of different species and size. Erythrocytes are extremely important integral part of human blood cellular immunity.
Disinfect the entry site
Unless drawing blood cultures, or prepping for a blood collection, clean the site with a 70% alcohol swab for 30 seconds and allow to dry completely (30 seconds) (40–42).
Thus, drawing blood from veins is preferred compared to arteries. This is because veins run superficially. Furthermore, arteries tend to have thicker walls and have more nerves associated with them, resulting in increased pain should they be punctured.
Sterilize in an oven by exposure to 80°C (polyethylene) or 120°C (glass and metal) for 3 hours or in an autoclave at 120°C (glass and metal only) for 30 minutes, and then store properly to minimize the risk of microbial contamination. 3.
Multiple investigations have compared the antiseptic effects of povidone-iodine and chlorhexidine under experimental conditions. Chlorhexidine was shown in all but one study to result in a superior and more rapid bactericidal effect.
The main reason many dental professionals hate chlorhexidine is because of the side effects. We all know that it stains teeth. Patients hate the stain as well as hygienists.
Chlorhexidine is available only with your dentist's or medical doctor's prescription.
It can be concluded from the present study that both CHX, as a gold standard antiplaque agent, had the highest amount of antimicrobial properties. However, HP, having minimal side effects compared to CHX, could be used as an alternative to CHX as a preprocedural mouthrinse.
Recommended disinfectant solutions
Hypochlorite (bleach) solution The recommended level of 1:10 bleach solution is made by adding 1 part household bleach (5.25% hypochlorite) to 10 parts water (or ½ cup of bleach to 4 ½ cups of water, or 125 ml of bleach to 1 litre of water).
EPA-registered tuberculocidal disinfectants and solutions of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (household bleach) diluted between 1:10 and 1:100 with water are considered appropriate for this purpose.
Begin by wiping the blood with a disposable cloth or paper towel. Then, use a mixture of dish soap and water or a commercial cleaner to clean the area thoroughly. Finally, apply a disinfectant to the cleaned area, ensuring it stays on the surface for the recommended dwell time (check the product label).