General Precautons

Items covered in this section:

Disinfectants and Skin Prep

Chlorhexadine gluconate
Advantages: Effective against bacteria and fungi. Low toxicity and irritant. Useful as a skin disinfectant.
Disadvantages: Limited activity against viruses. Inactivated by organic matter and soap.

Iodine (Betadine):
Advantages: Wide range of acctivity against viruses, bacteria and fungi. Non-irritant and does not stain the skin.
Disadvantages: May corrode or stain metals. Inactivated by orgnaic matter (for example, blood, body fluids and faeces.)

Alcohol (70% or above):
Advantages:HIgh activity against bactyeria and fungi. Rapid action. Easy to use in wipe form. Can e used with other bacteriocides, for example, chlorhexidine.
Disadvantages: Volatile. Does not penetrate well into organic matter and should be used on physically clean skin only. Requires time to evapourate. Should not be used on mucous membranes.

lili (2008)