Preventing Surgical-Site Infection

Having Surgery? What You Can Do Before and After Your Surgery?

You and your family are partners with your surgeon and the staff in contributing to the prevention of a surgical-site infection. Here are some ways you can participate and help prevent infection after surgery.

Before Surgery

• Clean your skin daily with soap and water and a clean wash cloth.
• Intact, smooth skin helps protect against infection. Soaps that protect best from infection are ph-balanced for human skin. Examples of soaps that can aid skin repair include Oil of Olay^®, Dove^®, and Aveeno^®.
• Avoid antibacterial soaps unless prescribed by your surgeon.
• Keep open wounds or cuts clean, dry, and covered with a Band-aid^® or dressing.
• Tell your surgeon about skin conditions or skin infection when you first discuss your surgery.
• Medical management to resolve or improve skin conditions (like psoriasis, acne, or staph infections) can reduce your risk of infection after surgery.
• Stop smoking for two weeks before surgery. If you can, stop smoking permanently.
• Eat a healthy diet, avoid excess alcohol, and get adequate sleep. This will aid your immune system in helping you heal after surgery.  

After Your Surgery - In the Hospital or Outpatient Surgery Center

• Do not touch your incision.
• Keep your hands clean. Ask the nurse if you need assistance.
• Notify the nurse if your dressing is damp, loose, or soiled with blood or other material.  

After Discharge from the Hospital

• Do not touch your incision.
• Protect your incision from injury. If you have been instructed to walk with a cane or walker, follow instructions to prevent a fall.
• Avoid tight clothing that may rub and irritate the incision, or interfere with wound healing.
• Keep the dressing in place for as long as you are instructed to do so by your doctor.
• Pets can be comforting but may also be curious about your incision. Protect your incision until it is healed.
• If you are instructed to touch your dressing or replace the dressing, always wash your hands first. Use soap and water on all skin surfaces of hands and wrists for 15 seconds or more. Rinse and dry your hands.
• Continue to keep any other open wounds or cuts clean, dry, and covered with a Band-Aid^® or dressing.