Abstract

Many long-established procedures in medicine and surgery are carried out in an uncritical and ritualistic manner. A good example is the disinfection of a patient’s skin before injection or venepuncture. An application of a liquid is expected by patients, and gives confidence to both them and their doctors or nurses. Yet where the practice has been abandoned there have been no apparent ill effects.¹ Recent findings in skin microbiology suggest that the question of skin preparation for injections needs review.