When using an alcohol swab to clean the skin before acupuncture, what is the best practice?

In the context of acupuncture, best practices for skin preparation are crucial to ensure safety and minimize the risk of infection. Using an alcohol swab is an effective method to disinfect the skin before inserting needles. The best practice is to use a new swab for each acupuncture point being treated. This approach reduces the risk of cross-contamination between different points on the body.

Utilizing the same swab on several points can introduce bacteria from one area to another, increasing the risk of infection. In acupuncture, maintaining strict hygiene is essential, and each point should be treated as a separate site to uphold these standards.

Hence, ensuring that a fresh swab is used for each point helps maintain the integrity of the procedure and protects the health of the patient.