When using an alcohol swab to clean the skin before acupuncture, which practice is correct?

The correct practice when using an alcohol swab to clean the skin before acupuncture is to ensure that each point is treated with a new, clean swab. Using the same swab on several points does not adhere to standard sanitation protocols. When performing acupuncture, it is vital to minimize the risk of infection, which can be compromised by reusing a single swab across different skin locations. Each acupuncture point should be prepped with a separate swab to maintain cleanliness and reduce the potential for cross-contamination.

While options suggesting soaking the swab in a specific concentration of alcohol or waiting for the swab to change color or become dry may appear relevant, they do not adequately address the necessity of using a new swab for each acupuncture point to ensure optimal hygiene practices. Thus, maintaining cleanliness with individual swabs is essential for safe acupuncture practice.