Guideline | Recommendation | Category (if mentioned) |
CDC3 | “Advise patients to shower or bath (full body) with soap (antimicrobial or non antimicrobial) or an antiseptic agent on at least the night before the operative day.” | Category IB, |
| “Randomized controlled trial evidence suggested uncertain trade-offs between the benefits and harms regarding the optimal timing of the preoperative shower or bath, the total number of soap or antiseptic agent applications, or the use of chlorhexidine gluconate washcloths for the prevention of SSI.” | No recommendation, unresolved issue | |
WHO1 | “It is good clinical practice for patients to bathe or shower prior to surgery.” “The panel suggests that either a plain or antimicrobial soap may be used for this purpose.”
| Conditional recommendation, moderate quality of evidence |
NICE4 | “Advise patients to shower or have a bath (or help patients to shower, bath or bed bath) using soap, either the day before, or on the day of, surgery.” | - |
KRINKO5 | The commission recommends, in cardiac and orthopedic surgery, patients with nasal colonization with S. aureus should undergo preoperative decolonization of the nose with mupirocin nasal ointment 2% alone or in combination with body washing with chlorhexidine gluconate. | Category IB |
| The Commission recommends that the skin of the patient's surgical area be thoroughly cleaned outside the surgical department. | Category II |
"The human skin plays a decisive role in the development of SSI and should therefore be given special attention in prevention."
"The human skin plays a decisive role in the development of SSI and should therefore be given special attention in prevention."
“The lack of new evidence suggests that practices are already established and accepted in the medical community. In the light of emerging patterns of resistance developing with antiseptic use and the potential for adverse events, it may be important for future research to investigate whether the use of antiseptics is pertinent and to re-evaluate the efficacy of non-medicated soap or no bathing vs. preoperative bathing with antiseptics in a variety of settings, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Safety associated with the use of a non-rinse application of CHG should be evaluated also.”
Scientists around the world work daily to identify and assess infection risks. This scientific debate is an indispensable prerequisite for increasing the safety of patients and medical staff.
Here you will find a selection of recent studies and publications...
We are happy to answer your questions about our products, application and compatibility. Our advice covers all topics related to disinfection, hygiene and infection control.
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