Infection prevention

Whole body wash with HiBiScrub® to help protect yourself from infection for up to 6 hours

By: Mölnlycke Health Care, January 2 2012Posted in: Infection prevention

Whole body washing is simply head-to-toe washing before having surgery. However, rather than using your normal soap or shower gel, an antiseptic skin cleansing liquid, such as HiBiScrub® is used instead.

  • An antibacterial wash containing an active ingredient called chlorhexidine, that, unlike soap and alcohol-only gels, binds to the skin forming a protective layer that is effective for up to 6 hours.1
  • A trusted antiseptic used in hospitals for over 40 years
  • Protects against clinically relevant MRSA2 strains in just 1 minute (99.99% log reduction) and inactivates swine flu (VR-333) in 30 seconds3
  • The chlorhexadine gluconate in HiBiScrub supports a fast and effective spectrum of kill on a wide range of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, yeast, fungi and viruses4
  • Will keep working long after application, continuously killing bacteria for up to 6 hours5
  • Proven to be more effective than soap and water, which in fact increases the bacteria on your skin6
  • Is kind to your skin7, even with frequent use8

 

Instructions of how to whole body wash prior to surgery

Print instructions on how to body wash prior to surgery (PDF)

The whole body wash should be carried out twice, the night before surgery and on the morning of the surgery, using the following procedure*:

1. Wash your face with undiluted HiBiScrub Plus especially around the nose, avoiding your eyes and ears.

2. Use a clean sponge, working downwards, wash your armpits.

3. Continue washing downwards and wash well around the groin area.

4. After washing all these important areas, rinse off under the shower.

5. Now repeat steps 1 to 4, but this
time starting with your hair.

6. After a final rinse, dry yourself thoroughly with a clean towel and put on clean clothes.

 

*For each wash use approximately 25 ml - that is 50ml per shower. Please see local instructions as variations may occur.

References

  1. Molnlycke Healthcare Report REPR0654 / JTanner et al. A fresh look at perioperative body washing. Journal of Infection Prevention. (2012) vol 13 11 - 15 / Aly R and Maibach HI; Applied and Environmental Microbiology (1979) 37; 610 – 613 
  2. Mölnlycke Healthcare Report REPR0145 
  3. Mölnlycke Health Care Report REPR0597
  4. Denton, GW. 2001. Chlorhexidine. Chapter 15 in Disinfection, Sterilisation, and
  5. JTanner et al. A fresh look at perioperative body washing. Journal of Infection Prevention. (2012) vol 13 11 – 15 / Molnlycke Healthcare Report REPR0654
  6. Davies J et al; 1977 The effect on the skin flora of bathing with antiseptic solutions vol3 473 - 481
  7. Mölnlycke Health Care Report REPR0781
  8. Larson EL, Eke PI, Laughon BE. 1986. Efficacy of alcohol based hand rinses under frequent use conditions. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. Vol 30; 542-544
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