Bacterial contamination of blood products from blood donor's skin can lead to infection after transfusions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of four antiseptic products used on the antecubital skin of blood donors. We evaluated 363 blood donors who were divided into four groups (A to D) according to the product used. Group A: alcohol and iodine tincture; Group B: alcohol and chlorhexidine; Group C: alcohol; and Group D: alcohol and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVPI). Culture skin swabs were taken before and after the application of the products and blood cultures were collected for an assessment of bacterial contamination. We observed that Groups A (82/94) and D (68/78), and the association of the agents of Groups B (69/91) and C (72/100) were similar in the level of bacterial reduction comparing before and after the application of the antiseptic. There was a greater reduction in the number of bacterial colonies in Groups A and D when compared to B and C (p <0001). Only one blood culture was positive. We concluded that the products in Groups A (alcohol and iodine tincture) and D (alcohol and polyvinylpyrrolidone) have better efficiency in antisepsis of the skin of blood donors.
Antisepsis; blood donors; bacterial infections; blood transfusion; blood blanks
