Skin Cleaning and Draping

 Skin Cleaning and Draping

 SHAVING

§ The operation area should be clean (no infection) before the operation.

§ The area of operation should be shaved on the morning of the operation or in the O.T at the time of operation.

 Skin Cleaning:

§ Prepare the skin as soon as the patient is anaesthetised, to reduce the risk of infection.

§ Start cleaning with a soap solution/ povidone (it is 2% iodine) and follow this with spirit.

§ Take a sterile swab/sponge in a holder, start in the middle of the operation site, and then works outwards (centrifugally).

§ Discard both swab/sponge and holder, and repeat the process with a second swab on a new holder.
§ The spirit will evaporate to leave the skin dry.
§ Be sure to prepare a wide area of skin.
§ In abdomen operation, it should extend from the patients’ nipple line to below his groin.

 Aim of Skin Cleaning:

The aim of skin cleaning is to remove contamination (e.g.: blood, body fluids, dust).

DRAPING

 

Once the skin has been prepared/cleaned ----then start Draping:

 § Place the first towel across the lower part of the operation.

§Place another towel at the right angle on the near edge of the operation site.

§ Apply a towel clip at the point of crossing of the two towels.

§ Place another towel at far edge of the operation site.

 § The final towel goes across the top end of the site. All the corners should have towel clips to prevent the towels from slipping; they can go thru the skin if the operation is under G.A.

§ In an abdominal operation, an abdominal sheet covers the abdomen on the top of the towels. This sheet has opening in its middle to provide access to the operation site (double toweling).

§ If any area close to the operation site becomes contaminated at any time during the operation, place another sterile towel over the contamination site.

§ (Draping is done with towels made up of non-porous, non wet-able, synthetic, transparent material/sheets. Drapes should be resistant to blood or liquid penetration).

Purpose:

§ The purpose of draping is to establish a sterile field around the operative site, thus preventing the passage of bacteria b/w non sterile and sterile areas. The incision area is the only area exposed. Sterile drapes cover all unprepared areas of the patient.

§ Drapes form a complete seal over the skin, thus protecting the wound from bacteria and excretions.

Advantage:

 § To prevent passage of bacteria b/w non sterile and sterile areas.

 § Skin color and anatomical landmark areas are easily visible and the incision is made thru the drape.