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One big hazard
Of course, pooling is an issue because alcohol is a significant fire hazard. As Ms. Zinn points out, surgeons and staff who are used to water-based preps are going to have to be keenly aware of that. "Four percent of all the OR fires that we see can be attributed to an alcohol-based prepping solution," she says. "But as long as organizations have robust education and really follow manufacturers' recommendations, I don't see challenges in that transition."
How much drying time is needed? "The minimum is 3 minutes, but if the area being prepped out is very hairy, it can take up to an hour," she says. "So physicians and staff who have been using water-based solutions may have to alter their practice to allow the alcohol-based solution to dry."
Dr. DiGioia says that hasn't been a problem for his staff: "We didn't have to change our routine. My PAs do the prep and then the drape. By the time I come in and we go through our checklist in the OR, it's always dried. We haven't had to slow anything down by any means." OSM
E-mail jburger@outpatientsurgery.net.
