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Surgical Scrub Techniques Guide

Surgical scrub is the process of mechanically washing and chemically disinfecting the hands and arms before surgery to prevent contamination of the operative wound. There are two types of scrub: a complete scrub takes 10-15 minutes and is done before the first gowning/gloving or after a contaminated case, while a short scrub takes 5-10 minutes after a clean case. The scrub technique involves washing with soap and water for 10 minutes using a brush, starting from the fingertips and working up to 2 inches above the elbows, ensuring one directional water flow from hands to arms. The goal is to remove as many bacteria as possible from the hands and arms.

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818 views2 pages

Surgical Scrub Techniques Guide

Surgical scrub is the process of mechanically washing and chemically disinfecting the hands and arms before surgery to prevent contamination of the operative wound. There are two types of scrub: a complete scrub takes 10-15 minutes and is done before the first gowning/gloving or after a contaminated case, while a short scrub takes 5-10 minutes after a clean case. The scrub technique involves washing with soap and water for 10 minutes using a brush, starting from the fingertips and working up to 2 inches above the elbows, ensuring one directional water flow from hands to arms. The goal is to remove as many bacteria as possible from the hands and arms.

Uploaded by

keithevaristo
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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SURGICAL SCRUB, GOWNING AND GLOVING

Surgical Scrub
 Surgical scrub is the removal of as many bacteria as possible from the hands and arms
by mechanical washing and chemical disinfection before taking part in a surgical
procedure.
Purpose
 Surgical Scrub helps prevent the possibility of contamination and infection of the
operative wound by bacteria on the hands and arms.
Types
Complete Scrub – it usually takes 10-15 minutes. This time may vary in different hospitals,
depending upon the frequency of the scrubs. This is done:
1. Before the first gowning and gloving.
2. Following a clean case if the gloves have holes in them.
3. Following a clean case if the gloves have been removed inadvertently before the gown.
4. Following a clean case if hands been contaminated in ay other way.
5. Following a contaminated case, before starting the next case.
Short Scrub – it is usually takes 5-10 minutes. This scrub is done following a clean case if the
hands and arms have not been contaminated. It is done to remove bacteria that have emerged
from the pores and multiplied while the gloves were worn.
PREPARATION BEFORE DOING SURGICAL SCRUB:
 Attend to your personal needs.
 Adjusts your cap and mask properly. The hair should be confined inside the cap. The
mask should cover the nose, mouth, cheek and chin.
 Roll up sleeves of the uniform 3 inches above the elbow if sleeves are long
 Check on the liquid soap and brush dispenser.
 Remove your jewelry.
 Check on your fingernails. They must be kept clean and short to reduce the bacteria
count and to prevent the puncturing or tearing of gloves.
SCRUB-UP TECHNIQUE
 Take note of the time you started scrubbing
 Wash hands and arms with soap and water to remove superficial dirt and bacteria.
 Get the sterile brush with the right hand in such a way that it faces up.
 Saturate the brush with soap and water and start scrubbing from the fingertip, to the four
corners of each finger, to the dorsum, palm and wrist. Do this for 2 1/2 minutes, rinse.
 Transfer the brush to your left hand. Saturate it again with soap and water and do the
same as in no 3 (5 minute for both hands).
 Transfer the brush to your right hand. Saturate it again with soap and water and brush
the left arm from the wrist up to 2 inches above the elbow. Rinse, Do this for 2 ½
minutes.
 Transfer the brush to your left hand and do the same as in no. 6 (5 minutes for both
arms) hence a total of ten (10) minutes, from the tip of the fingers up to 2 inches above
the elbow.
 Drop the brush in a pail provided for used brushes. Rinse both hands and arms well
taking care the flow of water is from the hands down the elbows.
POINTS TO REMEMBER IN SURGICAL SCRUB:
 Rinse as often as possible using one direction only. Start from the hand going to the arm
taking care not to touch the faucet and the sink.
 A person with cut or burn should not scrub because of the high bacterial count.
 The hands and arms can never be rendered sterile no matter how long or how strong the
antiseptics.
 Surgical scrub is most effective when firm motion is applied. Short horizontal or circular
stroke could be used.
 Use an ample supply of antiseptics
 Since the hands are to be cleaner than any other area, after the initial hand wash, they
are held higher than the elbows during the rest of the procedure to prevent water from
running back the scrubbed hands.

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