Reducing surgical site infections: a comparison of surgical skin preparations
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Date
5/3/2018
Keywords
surgical site infections , prevention , skin preparations , povidone-iodine , chorhexidine , Student Showcase of Research & Engagement 2018
Authors
Sherring, Hannah
Description
Surgical site infections are one of the most common healthcare-associated infections among surgical patients. The use of surgical site preparations can prevent this problem. A literature review was conducted to examine the existing studies in an attempt to determine which surgical site preparation yielded the lowest surgical site infection rate postoperatively. The preparations examined in these studies were parachoroxylenol (PCMX), povidone-iodine, combination povidone-iodine and isopropyl alcohol, chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG), chlorhexidine-alcohol, combination povidone-iodine and CHG, and povidone-iodine with industrial methylated spirit. It was concluded that none of these preparations proved to be superior in all surgeries or facilities. Patient allergies, comorbidities, surgical site, surgeon preference, and availability are some factors that affect the types of preparations used. In order to determine which surgical site skin preparation is superior in reducing infection, more studies on these preparations will need to be conducted.