Sunday, November 22, 2009

Isopropyl alcohol 70%

Isopropyl alcohol also known as rubbing alcohol is widely used in health care facilities and in outpatient clinics. It is classified as a sanitizer and rapidly kills a wide variety of organisms. Once applied on inanimate surfaces, it rapidly kills the bacteria and is the preferred solution to sanitize medical equipment.

In the emergency rooms and walk-in clinics, isopropyl alcohol is also used to clean and sanitize minor cuts, abrasion and small lacerations. The alcohol rapidly dries the skin, and rarely causes any pain.

In order to achieve sanitation, the alcohol is wiped on surfaces like door knobs, handles, toilets, walls cupboards and medical instruments. There are also sterile pads containing 70% isopropyl alcohol available which can be used to wipe surfaces clean. When large amounts of isopropyl alcohol are applied to skin, it can cause dryness and thus use of a skin moisturizer is recommended.

Isopropyl alcohol should be stored in a cool place and kept away from heat or open flames.

The biggest advantage of isopropyl alcohol is that it works rapidly and quickly evaporates. Most health care professionals consider it to be the antiseptic of choice for use in the home and in emergency rooms.

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