Editor's Note The use of chlorhexidine and alcohol for preoperative skin preparation resulted in a significantly lower risk of surgical site infections (SSIs)  after cesarean deliveries than iodine and alcohol in this study. Those who had the chlorhexidine prep had a 4% infection rate, which is nearly half that of…

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Editor's Note A standardized process of dose, duration, and timing for preoperative showers with 4% chlorhexidine gluconate maximizes the benefit of the shower as an effective risk reduction strategy for surgical site infections, finds this study. The process includes: 118 mL of aqueous 4% chlorhexidine gluconate per shower a minimum…

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It's a question ORs have faced for several years—what do you use for the vaginal prep when the patient is allergic to povidone iodine? After Techni-Care (PCMX, or chloroxylenol) stopped being made in 2009, clinicians were left without a skin prep indicated for use in the genital area for iodineallergic…

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Strong evidence from a new 6-hospital study could lead many ORs to change their traditional practice for surgical skin preparation. In the first prospective, randomized study to compare the effect of 2 skin prep agents on the incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) after clean-contami-nated surgery, a chlorhexidine (CHG)-alcohol product…

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A new Medicare payment policy is spurring hospitals to strengthen their programs to prevent pressure ulcers and other avoidable complications. Starting in October 2008, Medicare will no longer pay extra for treatment of 8 preventable conditions acquired in the hospital, including pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers not only interfere with recovery,…

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