One way you can take action is to prepare or prep your skin at home before you go to the hospital for surgery.
This video shows the contemporary approach to early prepping with the use of 2% CHG prep clothes to be used the night of or night before your surgery. For early prepping, here's some important information you need to know:
- Do not use the 2% CHG cloth on your face, eyes, ears, or mouth.
- Do not use the 2% CHG cloth on broken skin or open wounds.
- If you shower or bathe before early prepping, wait until your skin returns to normal temperature before using.
- Apply to cold, dry skin.
- Use 1 prep cloth for each area of the body.
- Apply thoroughly for coverage.
- Do not rinse.
To get started, remove the prep check sticker and affix it to the prepping instructions given to you by your healthcare provider. Be sure to bring this with you to the hospital for documentation purposes. Then open the outer package and begin the early prepping process from chin to toe. Here are some tips to help you get started:
- Always follow your health care provider's instructions for early prepping.
- Dispose of the prep cloth in the garbage. Never flush them down the toilet.
- Allow the area to air dry for 1 minute. It's normal to feel a slight, tacky feel in your skin after applying the CHG, but it will go away quickly. Stop use and ask a doctor if irritation, sensitization, or allergic reaction occurs. These may be signs of a serious condition.
- Do not apply lotions, moisturizer, or makeup after prepping your skin.
- Do not shower or wash after prepping your skin.
- Be sure to wear clean pajamas to bed and sleep on clean sheets.
- On the morning of surgery, do not shower or bathe.
- Wear clean clothes to the hospital
When you arrive for surgery, give your nurse the prepping instructions with the prep check label attached for documentation purposes.