Skin cleansing and infection control in peripheral venepuncture and cannulation

Franklin, Lynn RGN, RSCN

Lynn Franklin RGN, RSCN, is a staff nurse, Peterborough District Hospital, Peterborough.

Date of acceptance: March 24 1998.

These key words are based on the subject headings from the British Nursing Index.

This article has been subject to double-blind review.

Nursing Standard 14(4):p 49-50, October 13, 1999.

Research into the importance of skin cleansing before venepuncture is inconclusive. This article suggests that erring on the side of caution is the best way forward until more firm evidence is found.