Following a recent recall of potentially contaminated non-sterile alcohol prep pads, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today reminded health care professionals about the safe use of non-sterile alcohol prep pads to clean and disinfect the surface of the skin, according to an FDA news release.
The reminder comes after an incident on Jan. 5, when the Triad Group of Hartland, Wis., recalled all lots of its alcohol prep pads and swabs, citing concerns about the product's potential contamination with Bacillus cereus, a bacterium that can be harmful to humans.
According to Karen Weiss, MD, director of the Safe Use Initiative in the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, non-sterile pads are not intended to prep patients prior to procedures requiring strict sterility. Non-sterile pads should also not be used on patients with a depressed immune system, to prep patients for catheter insertion or to prep patients prior to surgery.
The FDA recommends sterile antiseptics, including chlorhexidine gluconate, alcohol or iodine applicators, pads and swabs, in settings where patients are particularly susceptible to infections.
Read the news release about non-sterile alcohol prep pads.
Read other coverage about infection control:
- Physicians Need to Be Involved in Infection Control, Quality Improvement Efforts
- APIC Recommends Mandatory Influenza Immunization as Condition of Healthcare Employment
- 10 Facts and Figures on Surgical Site Infections
The reminder comes after an incident on Jan. 5, when the Triad Group of Hartland, Wis., recalled all lots of its alcohol prep pads and swabs, citing concerns about the product's potential contamination with Bacillus cereus, a bacterium that can be harmful to humans.
According to Karen Weiss, MD, director of the Safe Use Initiative in the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, non-sterile pads are not intended to prep patients prior to procedures requiring strict sterility. Non-sterile pads should also not be used on patients with a depressed immune system, to prep patients for catheter insertion or to prep patients prior to surgery.
The FDA recommends sterile antiseptics, including chlorhexidine gluconate, alcohol or iodine applicators, pads and swabs, in settings where patients are particularly susceptible to infections.
Read the news release about non-sterile alcohol prep pads.
Read other coverage about infection control:
- Physicians Need to Be Involved in Infection Control, Quality Improvement Efforts
- APIC Recommends Mandatory Influenza Immunization as Condition of Healthcare Employment
- 10 Facts and Figures on Surgical Site Infections