• Settled on one
solution. We went
with the skin prep
solution that most of
our surgeons were
already using, and
about which they'd
expressed a prefer-
ence. Two surgeons
were holdouts for a
different prep, howev-
er, which was fine: We
educated them on the
use of that prep. For
everyone else, we partnered with the vendor and provided education
on the solution's proper use according to the manufacturer's IFU.
• Added timers. We all know time is of the essence in an OR; we
want to provide excellent care and then turn that room over quickly
for the next case. In order to ensure our OR staff adhered to the rec-
ommended prep dry times, we implemented small digital timers in
each OR. They're kept at the nurse's prep stand, and staff members
know to use them to ensure prepping solutions sit for the required
three minutes before drapes are applied.
• Standardized the process. Developing and implementing a time-
line algorithm that explicitly spells out our skin prep process helped
formalize the practice. This plan delineates roles to the individual
nurses and techs. The nurse (or the surgeon if that's the surgeon's
preference, as is the case with one of our neurosurgeons) applies the
prep according to the IFU, while also adhering to AORN guidelines by
covering their arms. Once they properly prep the patient, the nurse
6 2 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0
• PREP STEPS Tanya Muallem, RN, and other perioperative staff at CHOC have
benefited from the facility's skin prep education and standardization.
David
Reidy/CHOC
