Surgical Scrub Case 1 Surgical Scrub

By Magnus Avnstorp, MD, Nathalie Fryd, med.student, Christoffer Bing Madsen, med. student, and Stig Steinfurth, med.student

Surgical Scrub

You should wash your hands extensively using soap before the first surgery of the day and/or if your hands are contaminated following patient contact or toilet visit. Between surgery procedures it is sufficient to use hand disinfectant for two minutes.

1. Open the package containing a nail pick and a sponge.
2. Soak your hands.
3. Use the nail pick to remove all visible dirt one nail at a time.
4. Use your elbow to apply plenty of soap to your hand.
5. Thoroughly wash both hands one finger at a time. Remember to scrub all areas of your hands including the palm of your hand, the back of your hand, between your fingers, the nail cuticles, and up to your wrists.
6. Continue the thorough cleansing all the way up to your elbows.
7. Wash off the soap while keeping your hands above elbow level, so the water washes the dirt away from your clean hands and forarms.
8. Dry your hands and continue up your forarms up to the elbow using clean disposable paper towels one hand at a time.
9. Now you are ready to apply hand disinfectant.