Pre-Surgery Infection Prevention

Thank you for choosing Dr. Kavi Sachar for your care. We are committed to your well-being. With all surgeries, there is a small risk of infection. We have a very low surgical site infection rate and work very hard to prevent infections. We want you to get involved and play a role in your health. Because skin is not sterile, we would like to reduce the number of those germs on your skin and decrease the risk of a surgical site infection by having you start a special skin cleanser before your surgery.

Getting Your Skin Ready for Surgery

Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG) 4% is a special chemical found in soaps such as Hibiclens and other brands of soap that are antimicrobial soaps used prior to surgery. Everyone’s skin has germs; this soap can reduce the number of germs on your skin and help to prepare your skin for surgery. You can obtain this soap at any over the counter pharmacy such as Walgreens, City market, Wal-Mart etc.

Follow these instructions to reduce your risk of infection:

Shower or bathe one-time-a-day for 3 days prior to surgery with CHG 4% liquid soap AND the morning of surgery making a total of 4 showers:

• Step 1: Wash your hair, face, and body with your normal soap, shampoo, and conditioner. Rinse completely.
• Step 2: Turn off the shower or step out of the bathwater.
• Step 3: Pour 1 oz. of liquid CHG soap onto a wet, clean washcloth and wash your entire body, avoiding the neck up and pubic region. Do not use CHG on hair, face or pubic region.
• Step 4: Rub the soap filled washcloth over your entire body for 3 minutes, again avoiding the neck up and pubic region.
• Step 5: Turn on the shower or return to the bath and rinse the liquid CHG soap off your body.
• Step 6: Towel Dry.

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