When should sterile foam with 70% isopropyl alcohol be used?

Using sterile foam with 70% isopropyl alcohol is essential for maintaining a sterile environment and minimizing the risk of infection. The correct scenario for its use is before donning personal protective equipment (PPE) after touching non-sterile surfaces. This practice ensures that any potential contaminants from non-sterile areas do not transfer to the PPE, which is critical in maintaining a sterile technique during patient care.

When interacting with non-sterile surfaces, residual contaminants can easily transfer to the healthcare worker's hands. By using sterile foam with isopropyl alcohol at this point, it effectively disinfects the hands, reducing the likelihood of carrying pathogens into a sterile field. This is particularly important in healthcare settings where infection control is paramount.

In contrast, using alcohol foam when entering a patient room or after administering medication may not address the contamination risks encountered right after touching non-sterile surfaces. Handling clinical data typically does not require use of isopropyl alcohol unless those activities involve touching surfaces that are potentially contaminated, but the priority here is on hand hygiene prior to putting on PPE.