1 2 • O U T PA 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 8
your nurses apply preps prop-
erly every time, right? Not nec-
essarily. A study published
in Surgical Infections found that
none of 30 surgical nurses with
close to a decade of prepping
experience applied chlorhexi-
dine gluconate-isopropyl alcohol
and povidone-iodine solutions properly (osmag.net/vJPmM2).
The nurses followed all essential steps 90% of the time with the
CHG solution and only 33% of the time with the povidone-iodine
solution, according to the study, which notes standardizing prep
solutions, simplifying application directions and educating staff
on proper application techniques would improve overall compli-
ance with recommended practices.
With the study's results and that advice in mind, here are some
basic practices that you shouldn't assume your staff follow with-
out fail:
• Wash before prepping. Clean the surgical site and surround-
ing area with a non-antimicrobial soap and let the area dry thor-
oughly before applying the prep.
• Provide plenty of room. When applying the prep, cover an
area that is large enough to let the surgeon extend the incision,
add incisions, shift the drapes and place trocars during endo-
scopic procedures as needed.
• Move outward. Begin applying the prep at the incision site and
Do You Prep
Patients Properly?
BACK TO BASICS
• TRUST BUT VERIFY Auditing is the best way over time to ensure proper skin prep
procedures are being followed.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN,
CNOR
