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Table 1 Summary of preoperative interventions

From: Current preventive measures for health-care associated surgical site infections: a review

Preoperative interventions

Summary

References

Screening for MSSA and MRSA

• Screening and prophylactic decolonization may prevent nosocomial S. aureus infections in carriers

[47]-[49]

Decolonizing hospital personnel

• Preliminary study finds reduction of SSI rate with decolonization of hospital personnel carriers

[50]

Showering or bathing with antiseptics

• Cochrane review of 7 RCTs finds no evidence of clear benefit

[51]

Antiseptic skin cloths

• Preoperative application of CHG cloths on planned surgical sites decreases skin surface levels of bacteria and may reduce SSI rate

[52]-[54]

Hair removal

• Cochrane review finds no evidence that hair removal has any bearing on SSI rates

[56]

• However, clipping, compared to shaving, is associated with decreased incidence of SSIs