Protect yourself and others before a surgical procedure.
Hands are one of a health care worker's most important tools, and it's critical for everyone in the medical field to maintain a strict code of hygiene. It's particularly important for workers entering a surgical suite to help reduce the spread of microorganisms throughout the rooms. This is done through a surgical scrub, a precise and thorough cleansing of the hands and arms that kills transient flora and helps lessen resident flora in case of glove tears.
Instructions
1. Remove all rings, bracelets and watches.
2. Remove any residue from under the nails with a nail file.
3. Begin washing both sides of one hand with antimicrobial soap, and scrub in between each finger with a sterile brush. Nails should receive about 20 to 30 brush strokes, while other areas of the hand should receive about 10 to 20. This process should take approximately two minutes.
4. Move up the arm, and continue scrubbing 2 to 3 inches above the elbow for approximately one minute. Make sure the scrubbed hand stays above the elbow to prevent contaminated soap and water from touching clean areas.
5. Repeat the process on the opposite side. If either arm touches a contaminated surface, continuing scrubbing the area of contact for another minute.
6. Discard the brush, and--continuing to hold hands above elbows--begin to rinse off soap on one arm and the other. Let the water run off the elbows.
7. Dry hands with a sterile towel, and put on sterile gloves. If hands touch a contaminated surface, repeat the entire process.
Tags: above elbow, contaminated surface, receive about, should receive, should receive about, with sterile