What is involved in a surgical scrub?

The surgical scrub is an important procedure required to reduce the risk of contamination by microorganisms during operative procedures. The surgical scrub involves first decontaminating the hands, then donning a sterile surgical gown and pair of sterile gloves.

1. What is surgical scrub?
2. What do doctors do when they scrub in?
3. What does a surgeon scrub with?
4. How long does it take to scrub for surgery?
5. What color scrubs do surgical techs wear?
6. What is the difference between a surgical tech and a scrub tech?
7. Why do surgeons wash up to their elbows?
8. Why do surgeons put their hands up before surgery?
9. What are scrub duties?
10. Why do surgeons wash their hands if they wear gloves?
11. How long do doctors scrub before surgery?
12. How do you use surgical scrubs before surgery?
13. How do you properly scrub?

What is surgical scrub?

A surgical scrub is defined as “the act of washing the fingernails, hands, and forearms with a bactericidal soap of solution in a prescribed manner for a specific period before a surgical procedure”.

What do doctors do when they scrub in?

While a scrub tech's responsibilities do include participating in the surgery by providing sterile instruments to the surgeon, a scrub also helps prepare the patients for surgery by cleaning and shaving the skin, transferring the patient to the operating table, sterilizing the instruments, maintaining the cleanliness ...

What does a surgeon scrub with?

The most commonly used products for surgical hand antisepsis are chlorhexidine or povidone-iodine-containing soaps. The most active agents (in order of decreasing activity) are chlorhexidine gluconate, iodophors, triclosan, and plain soap.

How long does it take to scrub for surgery?

The American College of Surgeons recommends the duration of at least two minutes for the surgical scrub. B. Several European and Australian studies indicate that three to four minute scrubs are just as effective as a five-minute scrub.

What color scrubs do surgical techs wear?

Scrub Colors, Their Meanings, and Hospital Dress Codes

Sometimes it's not to separate specialties, but professions: doctors wear a dark blue, while nurses wear a softer blue, surgeons wear green, receptionists wear gray, technicians wear maroon, and so on.

What is the difference between a surgical tech and a scrub tech?

Technicians assisting at surgeries were often known as operating room technicians, just as surgical nurses were once referred to as O.R. ... nurses are now known as perioperative nurses, and techs are usually referred to as surgical technologists, scrub technicians, or operating room technicians or technologists.

Why do surgeons wash up to their elbows?

This prevents bacteria-laden soap and water from contaminating the hand. Wash each side of the arm to three inches above the elbow for one minute. ... At all times during the scrub procedure care should be taken not to splash water onto surgical attire.

Why do surgeons put their hands up before surgery?

Surgeons raise their hands in the operating room to curb all risks of infections. They also hinder any opportunity for microorganisms to enter the patients' bodies. For the same reason, surgeons wash their hands in different ways in hospitals.

What are scrub duties?

Although the primary duties of a scrub tech revolve around providing sterile equipment to the surgeon, scrub techs also help prepare the patient for surgery, transfer the patient to the operating table, sterilize equipment to be used in the surgery, maintain the cleanliness of the operating room, and help the surgical ...

Why do surgeons wash their hands if they wear gloves?

But surgical gloves are added for two reasons: (1) Washing one's hands doesn't sterilize them, so gloves provide more protection for the patient; and (2) gloves are necessary to safeguard the surgeon and team members who will contact the patient's blood and other body fluids.

How long do doctors scrub before surgery?

Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds.

“Before surgery, surgeons have to stand at the scrub sink for 5 full minutes, and use an under-the-nail brush, and a very strong soap with a scrub brush on each finger, both sides of their hands, and scrub all the way up to their elbows.

How do you use surgical scrubs before surgery?

Apply the soap to your entire body from the jaw down, using a clean washcloth or your hands. Do not use CHG near your eyes, ears, nose or mouth. Wash thoroughly for five minutes, paying special attention to the area where your surgery will be performed. Do not scrub your skin too hard.

How do you properly scrub?

If you use a scrub or chemical exfoliator, apply the product gently using small, circular motions. Do this for about 30 seconds, and then rinse off with lukewarm — not hot — water. If you use a brush or sponge, use short light strokes. Never exfoliate if you have open cuts or wounds or if your skin is sunburned.