5 4 S U P P L E M E N T T O O U T P A 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 5
Charles Edmiston Jr., PhD, CIC, hospital epidemiologist for the Medical College of Wisconsin in
Milwaukee and director of its Surgical Microbiology Research Laboratory believes in the effec-
tiveness and potential antiseptic benefits of having patients treat their skin with chlorhexidine
gluconate in the days leading up to surgery. In a study published last year in the Journal of the
American College of Surgeons (osmag.net/SeA7nK), Dr. Edmiston and his colleagues provid-
ed 11 steps toward ensuring that this patient-driven aspect of pre-op skin prepping is com-
plied with and carried out with consistent results.
1. Use electronic alerts (text messaging, emails, voice mails) to remind patients about com-
pleting the applications.
2. Emphasize the overall benefits of the treatment.
3. Provide both oral and written instructions to patients.
PREPPING PLUS
CHG Treatments Begin at Home
z WASH WARRANTED Empo
your patients to participate in
skin antisepsis.
