Skin disinfection before intravenous cannulation. Intraluminal contamination after disinfection with 70% isopropyl alcohol.

A prospective randomized study evaluating the effects of skin disinfectants before intravenous cannulation was undertaken. 187 intravenous cannulae were examined. Patients were divided into two groups: in one, 70% isopropyl alcohol was used as a skin disinfectant while in the other, no skin disinfectant was used. Intraluminal contamination rates, colony counts and organisms isolated were analysed. No significant differences were found between the two groups. There was no correlation between the use of the sideport and contamination. It appears, therefore, that 70% isopropyl alcohol cannot prevent or even reduce the intraluminal contamination.