is health care that bad in the uk?

No it isn't. Cleaning with water or alcohol if the skin is particularly dirty is probably a good idea though. Water is just as good as alcohol and cheaper.

Can't agree with that at all.  Staphylococcus aureus is found on the skin of many healthy individuals (as well as the MRSA form).  Water is not antiseptic, nor is it effective against MRSA unless the entire injection site is washed thoroughly with warm soapy water beforehand, something most medical professionals don't have the time for (and time is money in any PCT).  Alcohol swabs represent the safer, cheaper, and more consistent route - any other approach is rather a pants excuse for hygiene. 

Can't agree with that at all.  Staphylococcus aureus is found on the skin of many healthy individuals (as well as the MRSA form).  Water is not antiseptic, nor is it effective against MRSA unless the entire injection site is washed thoroughly with warm soapy water beforehand, something most medical professionals don't have the time for (and time is money in any PCT).  Alcohol swabs represent the safer, cheaper, and more consistent route - any other approach is rather a pants excuse for hygiene. 

Agreed.  You would really need to scrub that arm to get it clean with water.  Water helps to remove germs by providing a medium for friction.  The friction causes heat, which kills and also removes germs by the rubbing action.  But it would take a while.

Can't agree with that at all.  Staphylococcus aureus is found on the skin of many healthy individuals (as well as the MRSA form).  Water is not antiseptic, nor is it effective against MRSA unless the entire injection site is washed thoroughly with warm soapy water beforehand, something most medical professionals don't have the time for (and time is money in any PCT).  Alcohol swabs represent the safer, cheaper, and more consistent route - any other approach is rather a pants excuse for hygiene. 

thank you.  and having one of my family member who has had an internal staph. aureus infection, it ain't pretty.  Why would they scrimp on something as cheap as an alcohol swab when it could save them millions later on. 

Jabs don't go into the blood directly, so an infection isn't particularly likely from a sterile needle. It's no different to getting a papercut. On the other hand, getting blood drawn is direct into the vein, and I've always had an alcohol swab prior to that because it is important to sterilise the skin area for that.

Jabs don't go into the blood directly, so an infection isn't particularly likely from a sterile needle. It's no different to getting a papercut. On the other hand, getting blood drawn is direct into the vein, and I've always had an alcohol swab prior to that because it is important to sterilise the skin area for that.

I had blood drawn from both arms on Monday at my Dr.'s surgery.  They didn't use a swab for either, which is why I was pondering this very thing.  It seems to be very hit-and-miss whether it happens.  Trying to remember if they used one when they drew blood at the hospital; I think they did.  Regardless - they should.  Any time the integrity of your first line of defense (the skin) is breached, the area should be cleaned of bacteria.  I'm sure no one wants a case of cellulitis either.  Having said that, my care with the NHS is generally good - this is just one of my pet peeves with them. 

I had blood drawn from both arms on Monday at my Dr.'s surgery.  They didn't use a swab for either, which is why I was pondering this very thing.  It seems to be very hit-and-miss whether it happens.  Trying to remember if they used one when they drew blood at the hospital; I think they did.  Regardless - they should.  Any time the integrity of your first line of defense (the skin) is breached, the area should be cleaned of bacteria.  I'm sure no one wants a case of cellulitis either.  Having said that, my care with the NHS is generally good - this is just one of my pet peeves with them. 

OK, its off topic, but I just wanted to tell you, Elliejean, that I love your baby name!  That is sooooo cute. 

OK, its off topic, but I just wanted to tell you, Elliejean, that I love your baby name!  That is sooooo cute. 

Thank you!!  The middle name is a fourth-generation thing (never been keen on it, but hey, it's tradition), and the first name we picked out.  Just hoping it turns out to be the predicted "she" or there'll be a quick scramble to find another name.   

Well where i work when we need to take blood on a patient we always swab with a alcohol swab and give it about 30 secs to dry . Then we take the blood. Thats common practise least where i work. 

Well where i work when we need to take blood on a patient we always swab with a alcohol swab and give it about 30 secs to dry . Then we take the blood. Thats common practise least where i work. 

Glad to hear it.  Will simply suck it up and give the next person who wants some of my blood without a swab a good whuppin. 

Whenever our daughter has to have a blood test here they clean the area very well.  They also used to use 'magic cream' to numb the area, but we have found that makes the blood draw more difficult.  Now they just use a quick blast of numbing spray.  In addition it is always a nurse in the paediatric ward that draws the blood.
The blood draw experience has been much better here in the UK than in the States. 
As far as injections, she receives one each night.  I used to use alcohol, but in the past 4 years I have just given it after her bath.  So far so good. 

Glad to hear it.  Will simply suck it up and give the next person who wants some of my blood without a swab a good whuppin. 

   When you're done whuppin 'em, you can always blame it on your hormones, too!!   

The blood draw experience has been much better here in the UK than in the States. 

I'd agree.  I've had a lot of blood drawn here in the UK.

I also found out I have better veins in the right arm rather than the left so I always refer people doing blood draws or putting in cannulas to that arm.

My mother seems to think all socialised medicine is the work of the Devil and can't understand why a major reason I'd never move back to the US is that whole health insurance BS, but there it is. 

Amazing - I'd call a system that leaves millions without healthcare because they can't afford $1000 to be evil, but there you go!

In November 2000 I started seeing a lot of black dots in my right eye. I went to my optician at Specsavers and he took one look and called the Bristol Eye Hospital, and arranged for me to see a specialist right away. I walked to the hospital, the specialist took a look and said the retina was detaching. He told me I would need surgery right away to save the sight in that eye. He said the left retina was a bit torn and they would fix that up at the same time. They operated 10 days later. I had a total vitrectomy, a scleral buckle, and laser welding on my right eye, and cryo welding on the left. As a result I have not gone blind. Total cost to me £0.00. That's my take on the NHS.

Well, my dad just had to pay $500 to get a fishing hook taken out of his hand (a 4 second procedure), and he can't afford to have his rotater cuff fixed, so he just goes about in agony, so yeah, I'd say in comparison to that, the NHS is a pretty amazing system. At least if I need to go to the doctor, I can, you know, actually GO to the doctor without worrying about bankrupting myself.