Summary of a Systematic Review: Preoperative Bathing
Whole-body bathing or showering with a skin antiseptic to prevent surgical site infections (SSI) is a usual practice before surgery. The aim is to make the skin as clean as possible by removing transient flora and some resident flora.  Read more . [1]
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Upcoming Conferences
CASA's 2017 Annual Conference:
September 6–8, 2017
The conference will address the most current topics affecting California ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs).
CASA's Infection Prevention Seminar: November 8–9, 2017
Attend this infection prevention training that is focused on your ASC's specific needs to make sure you are meeting all the components of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) infection control oversight.
Tools & Resources
Preoperative Skin Cleansing: Education Needed
Preoperative skin cleansing is a common evidence-based practice that may reduce the risk of patients acquiring a SSI. Lack of standard guidelines can create confusion, leading to poor compliance. Read more . [2]
Standardized Preadmission Showering Regimen
To reduce the amount of skin surface bacteria for patients undergoing surgery, selective health care facilities have instituted a preadmission antiseptic skin cleansing protocol. Read more . [3]
Best Practices in Action!

Preoperative Antiseptic Bathing: Protecting Your Patients
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[1] World Health Organization. Summary of a systematic review on preoperative bathing.
[2] Infection Control Today. Preoperative Skin Cleansing: Education Needed to Combat Variable Compliance.
Available at: http://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/~/media/Files/Medical/Ebooks/2014/01/01-14ICT-Skin-Cleansing-Report-s.ashx.
[3] The JAMA Network. Evidence for a Standardized Preadmission Showering Regimen to Achieve Maximal Antiseptic Skin Surface Concentrations of Chlorhexidine Gluconate, 4%, in Surgical Patients.
This material was prepared by Health Services Advisory Group, the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization for California, under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The contents presented do not necessarily reflect CMS policy. Publication No. CA-11SOW-ASC-08312017-01