Surgical ScrubPrepared ByDr:Manal Moussa

What’s The Purpose of a Surgical Scrub?

Remove debris and transient microorganisms from the nails, hands, and forearms

Reduce the resident microbial count to a minimum

Inhibit rapid rebound growth of microorganisms.

Who Does a Surgical Scrub?

Anyone working in the OR at the beginning of their shift

Scrub nurses in preparation for each case

Nurses working in newborn nurseries

Prior to a sterile procedure

Supplies

Warm running water Mask Hair cover Sponge imbedded

with Iodine 2% or Chlorhexidine solution 1.5%

Steps to a Surgical Scrub Surgical scrub will be 5 minutes in

length at the beginning of the day and 3 minutes after the first “long scrub”

Remove all jewelry (rings, watches) Place your cap and mask on (should

cover mouth and nose) Make sure fingernails are short and

without polish

Steps to a Surgical Scrub Wash hands and arms with antimicrobial

soap. Do not use excessively hot water Water should be warm Clean under nails with a nail pick Start timing. Scrub each side of each finger, between the fingers, and the

back and front of the hand for two minutes.

Steps to a Surgical Scrub Proceed to scrub the arms,

keeping the hand higher than the arm at all times. This prevents bacteria-laden soap and water from contaminating the hand.

Wash each side of the arm to three inches above the elbow for one minute.

Steps to a Surgical Scrub Repeat the process on the other hand

and arm, keeping hands above elbows at all times. If the hand touches anything except the sponge at any time, the scrub must be lengthened by one minute for the area that has been contaminated.

Rinse hands and arms by passing them through the water in one direction only, from fingertips to elbow. Do not move the arm back and forth through the water.

Steps to a Surgical Scrub If the hands and arms are grossly soiled, the

scrub time should be prolonged. However, vigorous scrubbing that causes the skin to become abraded should be avoided.

At all times during the scrub procedure care should be taken not to wet water on to

surgical clothing. Once in the operating room suite, hands and arms should be dried using a sterile towel and aseptic technique. You are now ready to don your gown and sterile gloves

.