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2.4 Surgical Hand scrub

Definition: surgical hand scrub mechanically removes of soil, debris, transient organisms
from the hands and forearm of the sterile team members.

Purpose
 Remove as many microorganisms from the hands as possible before the sterile procedure
 Decrease the risk of infection for high-risk groups (newborn, transplant recipients)
 Surgical hand scrub could be done in two methods

A. Short scrub
 It takes three minutes.
 It is done following a clean case
 If hands and arms have not been contaminated.
B. Complete scrub (long scrub)
 Usually takes 5 to 7 minutes.
 Done in the morning before the first gowning & gloving.
 Can be following clean cases if the glove has a hole.
 Following contaminated cases before starting the next case.

Equipment
A. Tap water or water in a jug and basin.
B. Soap/detergent on soap rack with drains
C. Sterile paper towel
D. Plastic nail stick/nail cleaner

Procedure for long scrub
1. Locate scrub brushes, antiseptic soap, and nail cleaner at the site
2. Remove watch and rings
3. Put several drops of echinoderm (soap) into the palm & wash for a minute.
4. Use a sterile brush and scrub nails & hands for half a minute for each hand.
5. Again scrub the nails with a brush (with files) for a half minute for each hand.
6. Rinse the hands and discard the brush.
7. Put 2 cubic centimeters of phisohx (soap) into palms of the hands and add enough water
to make a lather and wash hands and arms (about 3inch above the elbow) for 3 minutes.
8. Rinse hands & arms by passing in only one direction from fingertips to elbow.
9. Don’t move arms back & forth
10. Keep the hands higher than the elbow.

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