Investigation of the Appropriate Use of Antiseptics with Cotton Swabs

Abstract

To determine their most appropriate use for medical purposes, we investigated the method for preparing antiseptic-containing cotton swabs. We measured the amount of antiseptic solution contained in a cotton swab according to the water-absorbency method for absorbent cotton as described in detail in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia.
We tested three antiseptic agents which are frequently used in hospitals: povidone-iodine, benzalkonium chloride and chlorhexidine gluconate. Since the weight of cotton swabs from various manufacturers differed significantly, the amount of water or antiseptic solution contained in each swab was also different.
Based on the results of these measurements, we additionally evaluated the amount in each solution-containing cotton swab prepared in a medical setting. Judging from the volume of nonabsorbed antiseptic solution, we found that the actual amount used was slightly less than 90% of the calculated amount.
It therefore seems that the excessive use of antiseptic agents might be avoided, and health expenditures thus can be reduced, if we could make a manual for preparing antiseptic-containing cotton swabs based on the present results, and thereafter prepare them according to the instructions of the manual at hospitals.