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important for patients whose surgery site is in a hard-to-reach area.
5. Remove hazards. For example, remove razors from the OR, and make freepouring alcohol difficult to access.
6. Put the circulating nurse in charge of opening lines of communication
with the surgeons and surgical team, asking them to repeat instructions.
7. Include the surgical prep and dry time as part of the time out. This is also
a good time to perform a fire assessment, as alcohol-based prep solutions in particular pose a distinct OR fire risk.
— Linda R. Greene, RN, MPS, CIC
Ms. Greene (linda.greene@rochestergeneral.org) is the director of infection prevention for Rochester (N.Y.) General Health System.
is in the best interest of the patient," says Ms. Pettis. And if you're
going to do it, use "a single-use disposable electric or battery-operated
clipper or a reusable head that can be adequately disinfected between
patients."
Depilatories are also appropriate, but can irritate the skin. Whatever
method you choose, remove hair "as close as possible to the surgery ─
no more than 2 hours before," says Ms. Pettis. "And it should be performed outside the OR, in a private area. Wet the skin and hair, as
water softens the hair and skin surface, reducing the risk for skin
injury."
Razors are inappropriate under all circumstances, says Ms. Greene,
D E C E M B E R 2012 | 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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