BOPDHB Patient Resources Hip and Knee joint replacement book - June 2016 | Page 33

Your skin – using the body wash
To help prevent a wound infection after your operation, we ask that
you use the Chlorhexidine 4% skin wash. The tube is intended for
two washes before your operation. We ask that you shower or bath
the night before and the day of your surgery. If possible, we would
prefer that you shower rather than bath.
When you shower or bath, wet your body all over and then turn
the shower off or stand up in the bath. Using half of the tube of
Chlorhexidine soap, lather your body and hair with foam and
remember to wash skin folds and inside your tummy button.
Be careful to avoid contact with your eyes.

Before coming to hospital

The day before your operation

Leave the foam on the skin for at least two minutes and then rinse
off and dry your body thoroughly using a clean towel. Get dressed
in clean clothes.

Don’t shave, pluck or wax your skin
It is very important that you do not shave or wax anywhere within
the vicinity of the operation site before your operation. If it is
necessary for hair to be removed, the staff will clip the hair with a
specially cleaned surgical clipper on the day of surgery. This is to
help reduce the risk of infection.
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