The Day of Surgery
Before you come to the hospital :
� Shower again using CHG solution . Follow the steps below .
� Remove all jewelry , including wedding bands and body piercings . You may replace body piercings with temporary plastic posts before coming to the hospital . If you have rings that will not come off , please tell a staff member .
� Do not wear makeup , perfume , powders , lotions , or creams .
� You may brush your teeth , but do not swallow the water .
� Wear glasses instead of contacts or bring a container to remove your contact lenses before surgery .
� If you have been told to take certain medications the morning of surgery , take them with a small sip of water .
� Do not smoke or use tobacco products before your surgery .
Preparing Your Skin with Chlorhexidine Gluconate ( CHG ) Solution
Infection is a risk with any surgery . Our care team takes every measure to protect you and to prevent infection while you are in our care . You play an important part in this .
To help reduce the risk of infection , before your surgery :
� Use a special soap to clean your body . The soap contains an antiseptic called chlorhexidine gluconate ( CHG ). Cleaning your body with CHG soap before surgery helps prevent infection .
� Do not shave the surgical area .
� Put clean sheets on the bed you will be sleeping in the night before surgery .
11
The Night Before and Morning of Surgery
Your surgeon has directed that you use a Chlorhexidine product such as Hibiclens™ , Dyna-Hex™ , and others . Use half the bottle the night before and the other half the morning of your surgery .
Your doctor may instruct you to begin using CHG wash earlier . Follow your doctor ' s instructions .
Follow these steps as you shower :
� Shower or bathe as usual with soap and water . Then wash off the soap completely . If you plan to wash your hair , use regular shampoo on your hair and rinse well .
� Thoroughly rinse your entire body with warm water from the neck down . Turn off the water or step out from under the shower stream to avoid rinsing the CHG soap off too soon .
� Apply the CHG product directly to your skin from the neck down and wash gently . Do not use above your neck , in your genital area , or on wounds that are deeper than a scratch . DO NOT touch your eyes , ears , or mouth while scrubbing .
� Pay special attention to washing the area of your surgical procedure very well . Use a back and forth motion to gently scrub the area .
� Allow the product to soak on your skin for 2 to 3 minutes .
� Turn on the water or step back under the shower stream to rinse well . Do not use regular soap after applying and rinsing the product .
� Pat your skin dry with a clean soft towel .