Your surgeon wants you to prepare your skin at home before your procedure to prevent surgical site infections.
How to prep your skin before surgery
This video explains “early prepping” using 2% CHG prep clothes (“prep cloth”) the night before, or night of, your surgery to help prevent infection:
Before you begin
Always follow your health care provider’s instructions for early prepping. Stop use and ask a doctor if irritation, sensitization, or allergic reaction occurs. These may be signs of a serious condition.
- Do NOT use the prep cloth on your face, eyes, ears, or mouth.
- Do NOT use the prep cloth on broken skin or open wounds.
- Only apply the prep cloth to cold, dry skin. If you shower or bathe before early prepping, wait until your skin returns to normal temperature before using the prep cloth.
Steps to prepare your skin
- Remove the prep check sticker and affix it to the prepping instructions given to you by your healthcare provider. Bring this with you to the hospital for documentation purposes.
- Open the outer package.
- From chin to toe, use one prep cloth for each area of the body. Apply thoroughly for coverage.
- Allow the area to “air dry” for 1 minute. Do NOT rinse. It's normal to feel a slight, tacky feel in your skin after applying the CHG, but it will go away quickly.
- Dispose of the prep cloth in the garbage. Never flush them down the toilet.
After prepping your skin
- Do NOT shower or wash after prepping your skin.
- Do NOT apply lotions, moisturizer, or makeup after prepping your skin.
- Change into clean pajamas to bed and sleep on clean sheets.
On the morning of surgery
- Do NOT shower or bathe.
- Change into clean clothes to wear to the hospital.
- When you arrive at the hospital, give your nurse the prepping instructions, including the “prep check” label for documentation purposes.