Uses of Sepp Antiseptic

ChloraPrep's Sepp antiseptic applicator contains a mixture of 2 percent chlorhexidine gluconate and 70 percent isopropyl alcohol. It has a soft sponge at the tip which gently scrubs and delivers medication to the first five cell layers of the skin, where most microorganisms reside. Sepp's design helps prevent contamination by eliminating direct hand-to-patient contact.

Intravenous Insertions

The Sepp antiseptic is useful for disinfecting the skin prior to administering an intravenous injection. Besides IV insertion, recommended uses include wiping before umbilical vessel catheterization, insertion of chest tubes or the use of heel sticks for drawing blood. The product should be applied with a back-and-forth motion for approximately 30 seconds and allowed to dry before puncturing the skin. It is contraindicated in patients with congenital skin disorders.

Surgical Site Preparation

Major invasive procedures such as biopsies or other surgeries require a thoroughly disinfected skin surface prior to commencement. This is crucial to avoid serious complications resulting from microorganisms that normally reside on the skin entering open wounds. The active ingredients in Sepp antiseptic are effective in controlling these microorganisms and reducing incidences of infection, according to LSU Health Sciences Center's "Skin Prep for Invasive Procedures." Skin should be thoroughly cleaned before use, and care should be taken to avoid getting the solution into hairy areas. For procedures that involve multiple entry points or incisions, a separate applicator should be used for each one. Sepp is not recommended for use in disinfecting eyes, ears, the mouth or genital areas.

Disinfection After Surgery

Surgical sites should be maintained clean and free of germs after a procedure to prevent infection. Sutures cleaned with Sepp have a better chance of maintaining an aseptic environment in sutures than other liquids, including plain isopropyl alcohol. According to Heather Small, et al. in an October 2008 article for Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, isopropyl alcohol is effective at reducing microorganisms but does not have a residual effect. When combined with chlorhexidine gluconate as in Sepp, however, it demonstrates residual activity on the skin for up to 24 hours. This provides better protection from infection after surgical procedures.