A surgical scrub is primarily used to prevent postoperative infections by creating a germ-free environment during surgical procedures.
Purpose of Surgical Scrubs
Surgical scrubs are an essential part of maintaining sterile conditions in operating rooms. They serve to:
- Reduce Microbial Load: The primary goal of a surgical scrub is to significantly reduce the number of microorganisms present on the hands and arms of surgical staff. This is crucial because these microorganisms can cause infections if they enter a patient's surgical site.
- Prevent Postoperative Infections: According to the provided reference, preventing postoperative infections is a vital reason why surgeons, doctors, and nurses scrub with antimicrobial soap and water before procedures.
- Minimize Risk of Contamination: A thorough scrub minimizes the risk of transferring harmful bacteria and pathogens from the surgical team to the patient, thereby creating a safer environment for the surgery.
The Surgical Scrub Process
The process typically involves using an antimicrobial soap and water and includes:
- Wetting Hands and Forearms: Hands and forearms are thoroughly wetted.
- Applying Antimicrobial Soap: A generous amount of antimicrobial soap is applied to the hands.
- Scrubbing Methodically: Each surface of the hands, fingers, and forearms is scrubbed thoroughly, usually in a circular motion, using a nail cleaner and scrub brushes.
- Rinsing: The soap is rinsed off thoroughly under running water.
- Drying: Hands are dried using a sterile towel.
- Repeat: This entire process is often repeated to ensure maximum bacterial reduction.
Why is it Crucial?
- Patient Safety: Reducing microbial load directly impacts patient safety during surgery.
- Infection Control: Surgical scrubs are a critical element in infection control protocols within healthcare facilities.
- Multiple Scrubs Per Day: Healthcare staff often scrub multiple times a day to maintain sterile conditions.
