PREPARING THE SITE
Once you've selected a vein. prebare to clean the site. If the site is excessively hairy, you should clip the hair as recommended by the Intravenous Nurses Society (INS). Never shave the site because of the potential for causing microabrasions. Always clean visibly dirty skin with soap and water.
Next, apply an approved antimicrobial solution: tincture of iodine 2%; 10% povidone-iodine; 70% isopropyl alcohol: or chlorhexidine. Don't use compounds benzalkonium-like aqueous or hexachlorophene to prepare the site.
The procedure that you use to apply an antimicrobial solution for site preparation is crucial to achieve effectiveness. Apply the solution in a circular motion, starting at the intended site and working outward. Although the surface area for prepping depends on the size of the