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Surgical Scrub Techniques

Scrubbing properly for a surgical procedure is of paramount importance. It helps prevent contamination of the surgical site with bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms. In addition to the standard scrubbing routine, each medical facility may have specific protocol in place. Check with your facility's administration and adapt your scrubbing procedure if necessary. After scrubbing, you will wear your sterile gloves and gown. Follow your facility's protocol for putting these items on so that you do not re-contaminate yourself.

Things You'll Need

  • Shoe covers
  • Face mask
  • Surgical cap
  • Antimicrobial soap
  • Nail file
  • Clock
  • Antiseptic
  • Brush
  • Sterile towel
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Instructions

  1. Preparation

    • 1

      Fit disposable shoe covers over your shoes. Wear a face mask, securing the straps behind each ear. Wear a surgical cap on your head. Ensure that all of your hair is tucked up into the cap. Remove any watches, rings or other jewelry you may be wearing.

    • 2

      Perform a preliminary hand washing with antimicrobial soap. Wash both of your hands and arms, lathering up well. Rinse and dry. You do not need a brush for this preliminary washing.

    • 3

      Clean underneath your fingernails with a nail file.

    Scrubbing

    • 4

      Check a clock to do a timed scrub. Scrub the back and front of your hands with a sterile brush and an antiseptic, such as chlorhexidine, as recommended by Penn Veterinary Medicine. Proceed to each finger, scrubbing the fingers and in between them. Do this for 2 minutes. After you have scrubbed your hands, do not allow them to touch anything, including yourself, other than the scrub brush.

    • 5

      Elevate your hands so that they are higher than your arms. Scrub your arms for 1 minute each, working the area from your wrist to 3 inches above your elbow.

    • 6

      Rinse one hand and arm at a time, beginning at the fingertips. As you pass your arm through the water, keep your hand elevated. Do not allow dirty soap and water to travel back down to your hand. Pass each hand and arm through the water only once. Do not dry yourself yet.

    • 7

      Bend your arms upward at the elbow so that your hands are elevated above the arms. Go into the operating room and dry yourself with a sterile towel.

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