Methods of skin antisepsis for preventing SSIs

Tanner, Judith

Judith Tanner is chair of clinical nursing research, De Montfort University, Leicester.

This article has been double-blind peer reviewed

Nursing Times 108(37):p 20-21, September 11, 2012.

Abstract

Tanner J (2012) Methods of skin antisepsis for preventing SSIs. Nursing Times; 108: 37, 20-22. Surgical site infections increase morbidity and mortality rates and raise costs to healthcare providers. Surgical skin antisepsis is one element in a bundle of interventions designed to prevent SSIs. This article summarises the most recent evidence and guidance on skin antisepsis.

This review compares antiseptic solutions used to prepare a patient's skin before surgery and the evidence of their effectiveness at preventing surgical site infections

In this article…

>Antiseptic solutions used to prepare the skin before surgery
>Methods of applying antiseptic solutions
>The wider implications of surgical skin infections