1. Screen for harmful bacteria
The bacteria that live in abundance on the skin are kept in check by
the body's immune system if they invade the bloodstream. If they
reach and colonize the porous metal and plastic implants placed in
the joint, however, it's much more difficult for white blood cells to
eliminate them.
Swabbing patients' nasal passages to test for Staphylococcus aureus
a few weeks before their scheduled surgeries offers the opportunity
to combat bacterial colonization through the application of antibacter-
ial ointment. This nasal screening, and the bacterial presence it
reveals, can also offer insights on the most effective antibiotic to
administer before and after surgery.
2. Prep the skin
If hair removal around the surgical site is necessary, remove it with
clippers rather than a razor in order to prevent small nicks or cuts,
which can allow the entry of bacteria from the skin. For this reason,
instruct patients not to shave their sites themselves, but to let their
pre-op nurses take care of the task.
Patients should
cleanse the surgical
site with chlorhexidine
gluconate in the days
before surgery, either
with a liquid soap in
the shower or with
impregnated wipes
afterwards. This is a
particularly important
precaution if nasal or
J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6 • O U T PA T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T • 3 1
• ULTIMATE BARRIER "Moon suits" prevent exposing the patient to harmful bacteria.
Panorama
Orthopedics
and
Spine
Center
