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I N F E C T I O N
P R E V E N T I O N
with a hands-on skills lab demonstrating how each product is to
be used.
5
Three days' worth of CHG showering is more
effective than a single day's showers.
True. Infection preventionists have promoted showering or
bathing with antimicrobial soap on the night before and the day of
surgery as a way for patients to lend a hand in their surgical safety. The IHI's Project JOINTS now suggests that patients who
shower with CHG for 3 days before their surgeries will benefit
from the agent's cumulative effect against skin-based bacteria.
"We can't say that CHG showers definitely will prevent SSIs," says
Ms. Felizardo, "but plenty of studies support CHG as a preferred
pre-op shower regimen to reduce the bacterial load, and the risk of
SSIs."
She further
notes that
instructing
patients to
cleanse their
surgical sites
with 2% CHGimpregnated
wipes after they
shower may
provide a
greater effect
than having
PREP IN PRACTICE CHG is often combined with isopropyl alcohol for a
them shower
rapidly effective prep with lasting microbial action.
J U N E 2013 | O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E
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