Ideas That Work: The Size of the Applicator Matters

Practical pearls from your colleagues.

Selecting the right antiseptic and using proper skin-prepping technique are obviously key to keeping patients free from infections, but so is using the correct-size applicator. Don’t sleep on that part of the process, cautions Benjamin Galvan, MPH, MLS(ASCP), CIC, CPH, infection prevention director at HCA Florida Brandon Hospital.

“Using the correct-size applicator is important,” he says. “Overusing an applicator that is not meant to cover a large area could spread the product too thin, so use as many applicators as needed to appropriately cover the amount of skin that needs the product.”

This reminder is in addition to other infection prevention basics that should be second nature to staff, including making sure to scrub for the appropriate amount of time indicated in the product’s instructions for use and not cutting body hair unless absolutely necessary.

Don’t use too much product, and ensure that the product that is used dries completely. Leaving undried alcohol-based applications on patients can be a fire hazard. OSM