What must be done to prevent infection during a phlebotomy procedure?

To effectively prevent infection during a phlebotomy procedure, ensuring the skin is properly cleaned and sterilized is crucial. This process typically involves using an appropriate antiseptic solution to reduce the microbial load on the skin at the venipuncture site. Methods such as using alcohol swabs or iodophor can significantly lower the risk of introducing pathogens into the bloodstream when needles are inserted.

While wearing gloves is an important part of infection control, simply using sterile gloves does not negate the need for cleaning the skin first. If the skin is not adequately prepared, there is still a risk of infection, regardless of glove usage. Proper skin preparation complements the wearing of gloves by addressing both the patient's skin and the phlebotomist's safety, thus minimizing the likelihood of contamination during the procedure.