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Preoperative (Before Surgery)
Antiseptic Shower Instructions
© 2022 Cedars-Sinai 26973 (0222)
To protect your health during your surgery, we need your skin to be as clean and
germ-free as possible. This will help stop infections during and after your surgery.
Your part in protecting your health is to use a
special antiseptic soap that slows down or stops
germs from growing. The soap is called CHG
(chlorhexidine gluconate).
What are the known side
effects of CHG?
CHG is very safe. You do not need a prescription.
Some people get a mild rash, but this usually
goes away. Do not use CHG near your eyes,
ears or mouth.
We want you to shower with CHG 2 times:
1. Thersttimeonthenightbeforeyoursurgery.
2. The second time on the morning before you
come to the hospital for your surgery.
Both times that you shower, follow these steps:
1. Wash your hair with your normal shampoo
and rinse all shampoo out.
2. Wet your whole body.
3. Turn the water off.
4. Do not put the soap on your face or head.
Remember, keep the soap away from your
eyes, ears and mouth.
5. Put the CHG on your hand or a clean, wet
washcloth and use it on every part of your
body from your neck to your feet.
6. Wash your body gently for 5 minutes.
Make sure you wash the part of your body
where you will have surgery.
7. Turn the water back on and rinse your
body until all the soap is gone.
8. Do not wash with your regular soap after
washing with CHG.
9. Pat dry with a clean towel.
10. Do not use any powders, makeup,
deodorants, perfumes or lotions.
11. Wear clean, comfortable clothing on the
day of your surgery.
If, for some reason, you do not use the CHG
soap, wash with soap and water the night
before your surgery as well as the morning
before you come to the hospital. If you cannot
shower on the morning of your surgery, wash
2 times the day before your surgery.
If you get a rash that doesn’t go away, if
your throat swells or if it is hard to breathe,
stop using the CHG and call your doctor
right away.
Special Instructions
for Labor & Delivery
•
Do not shave near the area where surgery
will be performed.
•
Wash your breasts with regular soap
and water.
•
Do not put the CHG soap on your face,
head or breasts.
