Preventing Infection After Surgery
What you should know before you go
Important reminders
- Do not use lotion, cream, powder, deodorant or hair conditioner after shower.
- CHG is safe to use on minor wounds, rashes, and over staples and stitches.
- Allergic reactions are rare but may occur. If you are allergic to CHG solution, stop using it and follow the bathing instructions using regular soap. Call your doctor if you have a skin irritation.
- Do not use in a bath, this is for showers only.
- Dress in fresh clothing every day and use freshly laundered sheets on the first day of using CHG solution. If the sheets become soiled, replace with freshly laundered sheets.
Your Pre-Surgical Kit contains:
- Dyna-Hey Solution Bottles
- Shower Mitts*
- Sand Timer
- Suction Hook
- Steps to a Safer Surgery Booklet
- Shower Card
*Do not flush shower mitts
Shower Card
Shower with Chlorhexidine (CHG) Solution to Prevent Infection. Shower as many times with CHG solution before your surgery as recommended by your physician. This blocks germ growth and provides the best protection.
| Steps | Follow the below: |
|---|---|
Step 1 
| Rinse your body with warm water. |
Step 2 
| Wash your hair with regular shampoo. Rinse your hair with water. Do not apply conditioner. |
Step 3 
| Wet your shower mitt provided. Turn off the water. Apply CHG solution to the mitt. Be careful not to get the CHG solution in your eyes, nose, ear canals and mouth. CHG is for the use below the chin only. Do not use any other soaps or body wash when using CHG solution. |
Step 4 
| Firmly massage all areas: neck, arms, chest, back, abdomen and hips. Clean your legs and feet and between your fingers and toes. Pay attention to your surgery site and all surrounding skin. Clean your groin, genitals (external only) and buttocks last. Ask for help to clean your back if you are having a spinal surgery. |
Step 5 
| Flip sand timer - empty sand. Wait full 2 minutes. |
Step 6 
| Turn on the water and rinse the CHG solution off your body. |
Step 7 
| Dry off with a clean towel each time you shower with CHG solution. |
Step 8 
| Change into clean clothes each night. Use freshly laundered sheets on the first day of using CHG solution. |
Surgical Site Infections
An infection that occurs in any part of the body where surgery takes place is called a “surgical site infection” or SSI. SSIs can happen in any part of the surgical area, from the skin into the belly. SSIs can also include the metal, mesh, or plastic parts (also known as implants) that may be placed during the surgery.
SSIs occur because germs that are on the skin and in your body can get into the surgical area. Some factors can raise your risk for SSI including older age, being overweight, having diabetes or other health problems that affect our immune system, having a bowel infection before your surgery, the length of your surgery, and being a smoker.
SSIs can make it harder to heal after surgery. SSIs may also cause more pain, stress, the need for more medications, and SSIs raise the cost of care. SSIs can make you go back to the hospital or have more surgery. Our goal is to prevent an SSI from happening to you whenever possible.
Your doctors, nurses and others caring for you will do many things to prevent SSI, such as:
- Wear hair covers, masks, gowns, and gloves during surgery to keep the surgery area clean.
- Clean their hands and arms with a special solution just before surgery.
- Clean your skin at the surgery site with a special solution that kills germs.
- Give you antibiotics at the start of your surgery and sometime during the surgery.
To prevent SSIs, here is what you can do:
- Talk to your doctor about any health problems (such as diabetes) before your surgery.
- If you smoke, quit. Your doctor can help.
- Shower or clean your skin with a special solution/rinse that you will get from your doctor before your surgery.
- Take medicine to clean out your bowel before your surgery only if your doctor gives it.
What is CHG Solution?
- CHG solution is an antiseptic that kills bacteria and viruses. It is used before you undergo surgery to protect you and minimize the risk of infection.