Preoperative skin preparations

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I am doing some research on skin cleansing of feet preoperatively. I am interested in other people's views and experiences regarding this. For example does it help reduce infection rates?

 

Research

As you know I am a staff nurse not an undergraduate. I work on a busy orthopaedic ward and myself along with the sister and other staff nurses are looking into the preoperative cleansing of feet. I am interested in other peoples views regarding this. For example what do other professionals use for cleansing feet preopertively and if they felt it helped reduce infection rates. This is to be presented to the surgeons on our ward. Presently we use chlorohexidine and water, then the foot is wrapped in a sterile towel and their own slippers placed on their feet. Any views?
Thankyou

 

I thought you may have had problems, thanks for replying.

 

Hi Clair,

I use betadine on all my surgeries and to my mind I get a low rate of infection, although I dont have a placebo to guage against!


Regards,

Plod

 

Hi again Clair,

How can you get their foot AND a towel into the slipper?

Plod

 

Hi Plod, thanks for answering. Its only a small sterile paper towel, you know the kind you use with dressings. If we didn't use anything at all to clean feet pre surgery ( except soap and water if feet are dirty ) do you think rate of infection would increase. Why specifically do you use betadine over anything else i.e chlorohexidine

 

Clair - I am a Consultant Podiatric foot and Ankle Surgeon.
I normally ask the nurses of the ward to use a simple chlorhex and water wash for general foot cleaning.
In theatre I use betadine to prep and then wash with alcohol.
Cannot remember the paper but this was shown to be most effective for foot surgery rather than betadine alone.