35. Evaluation and Routine Performance of a “Best Practice” Donor Arm Disinfection Procedure: ChloraPrep

Wilkins M, Kempin S, Laukaitis L. 2% chlorhexidine gluconate in 70% isopropyl alcohol donor arm scrub validation. Presented at: American Association of Blood Banks Annual Meeting 2004; October 22-26, 2004; Baltimore, Md. Abstract SP57.

Rationale
Previous research has found that a two-step blood donor prep kit (70% alcohol Sepp^® applicator and a 2% iodine tincture) is more effective than 10% povidone iodine (PVI) alone. More recently, ChloraPrep, a 2% chlorhexidine (CHG) and 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) solution, has shown success in clinical studies and is recommended by the American Association of Blood Banks as a method for blood donor arm preparation.¹ Evaluating the two methods (two-step kit and ChloraPrep) would allow clinicians to make a better-informed decision when selecting a technique for donor arm scrub.

Objective
To determine the efficacy of ChloraPrep in a sterile, single-use applicator (ChloraPrep 1.5-mL Frepp^®) and compare it with that of the currently used two-step blood donor prep kit

Design
Donor arm prep validation was conducted at large multicenter blood collection facilities.

Methods

• The validation was divided into two parts
• A site was selected where a trained individual performed side-by-side scrubs on and collected skin cultures for colony counts from 40 volunteers/potential donors
• Two additional sites were selected where several trained personnel completed side-by-side scrubs on and collected skin cultures for colony counts from 100 volunteers/potential donors

Results
Results from the three facilities are summarized in Table 30.

Conclusion
ChloraPrep demonstrated efficacy comparable with that of the two-step blood donor prep kit. Advantages of ChloraPrep include a one-step technique, which reduces donor arm preparation time; it is also an alternative prep for donors allergic to iodine.

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