tion into the outer layer of
the skin. This allows for
killing of the bacteria that
reside there, while minimiz-
ing redistribution of bacteria.
After observing your
staff's prepping techniques,
capitalize on all available
opportunities to provide
them with feedback and
education that will improve
their techniques:
• Use staff meetings to discuss audit results and to review prepping
guidelines.
• Schedule industry professional-led in-services on best practice,
including application technique, appropriate maximum and minimum
surface area per applicator, proper prep and dry times and variations
in application according to body area.
• Educate staff on the evidence and rationale behind each component
of best practices, so they fully understand why proper technique matters.
• Conduct one-on-one education sessions with staff members who
have trouble putting best practices into action.
• Provide prepping protocol reminders during daily staff huddles.
• Create a standardized prep chart, based on your facility's preferred
products, that notes proper application methods and required dry times.
Efforts to improve compliance with best practices might also include lim-
iting the number of skin prep products your facility uses. At the Infectious
Disease Society of America's 2018 ID Week conference, researchers from
the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center presented the results
of their experience auditing skin prep compliance. After finding that staff
1 4 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • M A Y 2 0 1 9
• SEE TO IT Povidone-iodine is the solution of choice for prepping skin
around the eye.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN,
CNOR
