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Isopropyl alcohol and ethanol are commonly found in local drug stores and are widely used in clinical settings; however, they are also utilized across a wide range of applications in different branches of healthcare. Both substances are used as disinfectants and antiseptics, making them essential for infection control, hygienic practices in clinical settings, and routine procedures carried out by clinicians.
They are, however, extremely uncomplicated and inexpensive solutions; however, their contributions to healthcare and the safety of workers in healthcare and the efficacy of procedures are invaluable.
Isopropyl alcohol can be used in health care facilities, or in other situations, as a way to defend against and attack the microbial population. Alcohol and ethanol which are considered rubbing alcohol, attack and kill all forms of a microbial population, which includes bacteria, some viruses and all forms of fungi; this is accomplished by the denaturation of proteins and the disruption of cellular membranes.
In the health care facilities, laboratories and diagnostic facilities, alcohol is used to disinfect the skin prior to injections, blood collection as well as prior to all surgical procedures, which is a step to reduce the introduction of and the infection by pathogenic microbes, and thus this technique is a primary step to control healthcare associated infections, also referred to as HAIs.
Besides the care of patients, rubbing alcohol is a powerful tool in the prevention of contamination using alcohol. In the case of stethoscopes, they are usually disinfected using rubbing alcohol in between patients; in the same way, rubbing alcohol is used to disinfect other utensils which have been used and which are used during routine clinical practices.
In laboratories, it is used as a disinfectant when cleaning all surfaces of the laboratory, including the surfaces of the laboratory’s laminar flow boxes and the surfaces of the equipment, which helps to avoid the contamination of other surfaces that can change the results of the research and tests.
Rubbing alcohol is significant in first aid and wound care. It is useful in cleaning superficial cuts and scrapes by cleaning dirt and microbes on the skin. It is not recommended for cleaning deeper cuts, but even in these situations it is useful, especially in outpatient clinics, ambulances, and emergency care.
In diagnostic and lab processes, alcohol is employed in the preparation of slides, handling of samples, and the sterilization of surfaces. Its insignificant residue after quick evaporation is beneficial for cleaning instruction and analytical devices, especially for sensitive optical devices.
Its contribution to provide both efficacy and precision is particularly notable in laboratory settings that are high throughout, and where cleaning and time are extremely important.
Rubbing alcohol became even more important during the global health emergencies caused by viruses where cleaning hands and disinfecting surfaces became critical. Rubbing alcohol is a key component in formulation used for hand disinfection that became an essential component for infection control in hospitals, public areas, and even homes. Its user-friendly and efficient nature underscored the role of these solutions in modern health care.
Nonetheless, caution must be exercised when utilizing rubbing alcohol. Because it is a flamable liquid, it must be kept away from sources of heat. Alcohol can irritate or dry out the skin, and it must never be taken internally.
This is why the healthcare industry has developed a framework of best practices around the use of rubbing alcohol, as there are a wide variety of possible risks and varying degrees of adverse effects from using it for more than one purpose.
The usage of rubbing alcohol shows how powerful and beneficial a product within the reach of the general population can be. Its utility spans from controlling infections and sanitizing healthcare equipment to laboratory and emergency services. As healthcare continues to prioritize patient and staff safety, rubbing alcohol is a valuable but often overlooked resource.
