Which swab
to use?
To ensure compliance
with nasal and skin
decontamination,
don't expect patients
to apply swabs and
wipes at home. Let
patients perform both
on admission, with
nasal decolonization
taking place about an
hour before surgery,
says Joanne M. Epstein, BSN, RN, CNOR, surgical services educator
at Saint Francis Hospital in Wilmington, Del.
After patients change into a patient gown, give them a package of
CHG wipes and ask them to wipe down the surgical site, she says.
When the OR calls for the patient, have a nurse give 3 nasal ethanol
swabs to the patient and instruct him to wipe the inside of each nos-
tril.
Ms. Epstein says the ethanol-based product she prefers is inexpen-
sive ($2.97 per patient), easy to apply, has no known allergy issues
and smells pleasant. One note of caution: Don't use ethanol on
patients having nasal surgery due to the fire risk associated with alco-
hol.
OSM
M A R C H 2 0 1 9 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 8 5
• PREVENT MRSA COLONIZATION Tell patients that nasal S. aureus is a major risk
factor for a surgical site infection, and that the solution on the swab will deactivate
the germs that are present in every person's nasal passages.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN,
CNOR
