How to: Surgical preparation of the surgeons skin.
Mechanical removal of gross dirt and oil from hands. Reduction of transient microorganism count as close to zero as possible. A prolonged depressant effect on the resident microflora of the hands and forearms. Common surgical preparation scrub solutions; hexachlorophene, povidone-iodine and chlorhexidine gluconate.
1. Start the running water with a gentle stream to avoid splashing to a lukewarm temperature. 2. Always keep hands higher than the elbows so the water runs from your hands down to your elbow to avoid recontaminating your hands. 3. Apply soap and wash all the way down to your elbows, or a little above. 4. then clean your finger nails with an orange stick or nail file, and drop it in the sink after use, do not touch it after you have dropped it in the sink. 5. Using the surgical scrub solution wash again from your hands to just above the elbows, use your elbow if you need to adjust the flow of water do not touch with your hands to prevent recontamination. 6. With a sterile brush wet it with water and begin to scrub your nails in a straight line insuring the nail brush reaches under your fingernails. 7. Then beginning with your little finger, scrub each side of your finger in straight strokes, and continue onto the next finger until all are scrubbed. Using circular motions work your way to your palm and then the back of your hand, but be careful not to over scrub your skin. 8. Keep a lather at all times adding more water and soap if needed (using your elbow if necessary). 9. Begin on your other hand as previously mentioned. Rinse the scrub brush and apply more soap, or use another sterile scrub brush. 10. Holding the hands above the elbows rinse both hands and allow excess water to drip off. 11. Repeat the procedure with the hands and arms but do not include your elbows for complete surgical skin perparation. 12. Dry with a sterile towel.
How to dry hands after a surgical scrub.1. Pick up a corner of the towel and allow it to unravel being careful not to touch any other surface with the towel or your hands. Try not to shake out the towel to avoid accidental contamination. 2. Using your imagination split the towel into 4 sections. 3. Holding the towel in your right hand, dry your left hand with the first quarter front and back and all fingers. 4. With the second section dry the left forearm to the elbow. 5. Now take the 4th quarter with the right hand and drape it over your right hand and dry the fingers and palm with this fourth quarter. 6. Finally dry the right forearm to the elbow with the third quarter.
Hand Hygiene is of upmost importance when considering surgery.
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