Client prep for clinical procedures

Most infections after surgery are caused by contamination during the procedure--not because clients do not keep the wound clean.

Proper client preparation ("client prep") using antiseptics is critical before a procedure. Client prep helps keep bacteria on the client's skin from causing infections in the surgical/procedure site.

About antiseptics ...

How to prep clients

Skin prep for surgical/clinical procedures:
First, make sure the surgical/procedure site has been cleaned with soap and water. (This can be done by the client--either at home or at the clinic--or by clinic staff.)

Apply antiseptic and gently scrub the skin in a circular motion--beginning in the center of the site and moving out--using sterile cotton balls, cotton wool, or gauze sponges held by a sponge forceps.

NOTE: Shaving is no longer recommended because it causes small nicks and breaks in the skin where bacteria can grow and multiply. Hair around the site may be clipped short if it might interfere with the procedure. Two large studies (one with nearly 63,000 subjects) showed that clients who had not been shaved had significantly fewer postoperative infections than clients who had been shaved.

Prep for the vagina, cervix, and other mucous membranes:
Using sterile cotton balls, cotton wool, or gauze sponges held by a sponge forceps, apply an antiseptic liberally to the vagina and cervix before instrumentation of the uterus. Alcohol and alcohol-based antiseptics should not be used on the vagina, cervix, or other mucous membranes because they easily irritate these tissues.

Before giving an injection:
Wipe the client's skin at the intended injection site with an antiseptic solution to minimize the number of microorganisms and reduce the risk of infection.

• If there is visible dirt, wash the injection site with soap and water.
• Using a fresh swab, wipe the site with an antiseptic, wiping in a circular motion from the center outward.
• If alcohol is used, allow the alcohol to dry in order for maximum effectiveness in reducing microorganisms.

Unexpected client motion at the time of injections can lead to accidents. Therefore, always warn clients when you are about to give them an injection.

Good client prep helps reduce the risk of postoperative infection by lowering the chances that bacteria from the client's skin will infect the wound.

©2004 EngenderHealth