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S U R G I C A L
S K I N
A N T I S E P S I S
neck or head, 2 pre-op shampoos with CHG are recommended, says
Ms. Pettis.
"Although existing guidelines don't address Class 2 procedures,
which make up a greater proportion of outpatient surgeries, it's reasonable to think the microorganism reduction would in turn reduce
SSI risk," says Ms. Greene.
If you choose to have patients shower with CHG (or less effective
povidone-iodine soap, if they have a skin condition that could be exacerbated by CHG), have patients do so the night before the surgical day.
(Be sure to instruct patients to keep the solution out of their eyes, ears
and nose, says Ms. Pettis.) Then, apply the second dose in the pre-op
area on the day of surgery. Ms. Pettis says one way to document that
patients followed instructions is to require that they bring their bottles
or packages along to the facility.
2. What are ideal uses of alcohol-based
prep, CHG and povidone-iodine?
As yet, no professional body has officially recommended one prep
over another, since studies have been conflicting. (That could change
with the CDC/HICPAC revised SSI-prevention guidelines, slated for
release in 2013, says Ms. Pettis.) The 2 most commonly used prep
solutions are povidone-iodine (P-I) and CHG, the latter of which has
"excellent persistent activity," says Ms. Greene.
It's also been gaining favor over traditional P-I after one often-cited
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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 | D E C E M B E R 2012
