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Shower Instructions

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Pre-Surgery CHG Body Cleansing: Instructions

Getting your skin ready for surgery is extremely important! To do this, you must cleanse your skin with CHG. This is a special chemical found in soaps such as Hibiclens and other brands. You will be given this when you come to the hospital for your preoperative lab work or your preassessment appointment. If you do not come in for lab work or an appointment, you may purchase the 4% Hibiclens at any pharmacy (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Target, etc.). Prior to your shower, gather clean, freshly-laundered washcloths, towels and clothes for each shower. Before using, be sure to read all instructions! Frequency for bathing must be once a day, the day prior to surgery, and the morning of surgery for best results. If an allergic reaction occurs, stop using.

Steps for showering or bathing with the CHG/4% Hibiclens:
  1. Wash and rinse your hair, face, and body using your normal shampoo and soap.
  2. Make sure you rinse off completely.
  3. Turn off the shower, or step out of the bathwater.
  4. Pour a quarter-size amount of liquid CHG/Hibiclens soap onto a wet, clean washcloth, and apply to your entire body FROM THE NECK DOWN. Do NOT use on your dace, hair, or genital areas.
  5. Rub the soap-filled washcloth over your entire body for 3 minutes; apply more soap as needed (at least 1/2 of the bottle should be used with each of the showers/cleansing). Avoid scrubbing your skin too hard.
  6. Turn on the shower/return to the bath and rinse the soap off of your body with completely warm water.
  7. Do NOT use regular soap after washing with CHG/Hibiclens.
  8. Pat your skin dry with a freshly-laundered, clean towel after each shower/bath.
  9. Dress in freshly-laundered clothes after each shower/bath.
  10. It is important to sleep with clean bed linens the night before surgery!
  11. Do NOT apply any lotions, deodorants, powders, or perfumes to your body.
  12. Do NOT shave your legs the night before or the day of surgery! Nor remove any body hair below the neck. Facial shaving is the only thing permitted before surgery.
  13. Throughout this process, good hand hygiene is a must throughout the entire day, each day. Wash hands with soap and water for the timeframe it takes to sing "Row, row, row your boat" to ensure adequate cleansing.