Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG) Showering Instructions
We take every precaution and use proven practices to help prevent infection, and YOU are an important part of the process. Beginning two days prior to your surgery date, your doctor needs you to shower with a special soap to help prepare your skin for surgery. The soap helps to eliminate as many germs as possible to help prevent surgical-site infection.
Please follow the instructions below to clean your skin beginning two days prior to your surgery date and the morning of your procedure prior to coming to the surgical facility. You will continue to use this soap after surgery as well, to keep your skin and your incision clean. Use the special soap, CHG (also called Hibiclens), for your skin preparation process. Please buy the 8 oz. bottle as you will be using this for 2 weeks after your surgery.
This product should not be used if you are allergic to Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG).
Shower Schedule (No baths):
- Two days prior to surgery, shower from neck to feet.
- On the night before surgery, shower from neck to feet.
- On the morning of surgery, shower from neck to feet.
- Every other day after you go home until the bottle is gone.
Showering Steps:
- In the shower rinse your body thoroughly with water. Wash your hair as usual with your normal shampoo.
- Rinse hair and body thoroughly to remove shampoo residue.
- Using the shower schedule shown above, apply at least 2 tablespoons (1oz) of the CHG soap to the area of surgery. Lather over the entire body, except DO NOT USE CHG on your hair or face; near the eyes, ears, or genitals to avoid permanent injury to those areas. (If using the sponges remove the sponge from the bristles and use one per shower.)
- Do not use a cotton cloth to apply the CHG soap. The cotton fibers will absorb the CHG, rendering the soap ineffective. Instead, use a new bath scrunchie or your hands for application.
- Turn the water off to prevent rinsing off the soap too soon. Wash the body gently for five minutes. Do not scrub the skin too hard.
- Wash thoroughly with the CHG, paying special attention to the area where the surgery or procedure will be done. Do not wash with regular soap after the CHG is used.
- Turn the water back on and rinse the body thoroughly.
- Pat dry with a clean, soft towel. If possible allow the area of the surgical procedure to air dry.
- CHG soap can be purchased at most large pharmacies.