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I N F E C T I O N
P R E V E N T I O N
WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT … Pre-Op CHG
Showers?
Test your knowledge and
review the evidence on this
antiseptic patient preparation.
David Bernard | Senior Associate Editor
Prescribing showers or baths with chlorhexidine gluconate to surgical patients in advance of their procedures is a common clinical practice. The antiseptic product is intended to aid the efficacy of the pre-operative skin prep and to reduce the risk of surgical site infections. But what results have the evidentiary studies to date borne out? Test your knowledge by answering the true-or-false statements below, then read on to learn more.
1. Studies have definitively shown that pre-op showering or bathing with CHG decreases microbial colony counts on a patient's skin.
2. Studies have definitively shown that pre-op showering or bathing with CHG results in a statistically significant reduction in surgical site infections.
3. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that patients be required to take an antiseptic shower or bath before surgery.
4. Taking multiple showers with CHG is more effective in reducing microbial colony counts on the skin than taking one CHG shower.
5. Taking multiple showers with CHG has a greater effect on preventing SSIs than showering once with CHG.