Skin disinfection and its efficacy before administering injections

Nurs Stand. 2009 Jun;23(39):42-4. doi: 10.7748/ns2009.06.23.39.42.c7039.

Abstract

The need to disinfect a patient's skin before subcutaneous or intramuscular injection is a much debated practice. Guidance on this issue varies between NHS organisations that provide primary and secondary care. However, with patients being increasingly concerned with healthcare-associated infections, a general consensus needs to be reached whereby this practice is either rejected or made mandatory.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Protocols
  • Cross Infection / etiology
  • Cross Infection / prevention & control
  • Disinfection / methods*
  • Disinfection / standards
  • Evidence-Based Practice
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intramuscular* / adverse effects
  • Injections, Intramuscular* / nursing
  • Injections, Subcutaneous* / adverse effects
  • Injections, Subcutaneous* / nursing
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic*
  • Risk Factors
  • Skin Care / methods*
  • Skin Care / nursing
  • Skin Care / standards
  • State Medicine
  • United Kingdom