Hand asepsis is one of the most critical components of surgical asepsis to lower the risk of nosocomial diseases. Phil Zeltzman, DVM, tackles four critical questions related to hand asepsis:
- Could you lose your driver’s license by scrubbing in?
- Should women who perform surgery wear nail polish?
- Are you scrubbing in long enough?
- How should you handle perforated gloves?
Source: Veterinary Practice News, May 24, 2019. Link.
. . . it is our responsibility to minimize their incidence by adhering to the following simple and well-known strategies: proper patient preparation, wearing the required attire (gown, gloves, cap, and mask), a clean environment, sterile instruments, and rigorous hand asepsis.”
Also see: Skin asepsis protocols as a preventive measure of surgical site infections in dogs: chlorhexidine–alcohol versus povidone–iodine, BMC Veterinary Research, March 14, 2018. Link.
According to study results, the use of 7.5% povidone-iodine or an alcoholic solution of 2% chlorhexidine appears to have similar efficacy in reducing the total load of skin bacteria, including methicillin-resistant bacterial species present on the skin and preventing surgical site infections in dogs undergoing surgery.
INSIGHTS: This information is a good reason to review practice protocols with veterinary team members. Salespersons often can support the discussion from their training and experiences in many clinics.