Preoperative Clipping: Identifying the Best Tools and Practices for Infection Prevention
Hair removal is an important part of prepping a patient for many types of surgical procedures. A patient's hair can interfere with surgical field of vision and serve as a potential source of infection, according to studies and guidelines. Read more.[1]
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A Systematic Review on the Effectiveness of Hair Removal

Hair removal may be necessary to facilitate adequate exposure to the site and preoperative skin marking.  To minimize the potential of skin trauma, the use of clippers instead of razors has been proposed for preoperative hair removal. Read more.[ 2]
Preoperative Measures to Prevent Surgical Site Infections
Removal of hair at the surgical incision site has been discussed for some time. Traditionally, the surgeon has always made the decision of how much hair should be removed and the technique for removal. Read more. [3] 
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Surgical Site Infection Improvement Program Intervention – Clipping Not Shaving: Protecting Yourself and Your Patients
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[1] Becker's Hospital Review. Pre-operative clipping: Identifying the best tools and practices for infection prevention. Available at: http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/pre-operative-clipping-identifying-the-best-tools-and-practices-for-infection-prevention.html
[2] World Health Organization.  Summary of a systematic review i n the effectiveness and optimal method of hair removal. Available at: http://www.who.int/gpsc/appendix7.pdf?ua=1
[3] Infection Control Today. Preoperative Measures to Prevent Surgical Site Infections. Available at:
http://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/articles/2001/04/preoperative-measures-to-prevent-surgical-site-in.aspx
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-07182017-01