SKIN PREP BEFORE TOTAL JOINT REPLACEMENT

Total Knee, Total Shoulder, Total Hip

What are CHG wipes:

Before your surgery, you will use special wipes to clean your body. The wipes contain

an antiseptic soap called chlorhexidine gluconate. Cleaning your body with CHG wipes

before surgery helps prevent infections.

If you have pain or itching after using the wipes:

Stop using the wipes and rinse the area well. Tell the surgical staff about your pain or

itching on the morning of your surgery. IF you are allergic to Chlorhexidine, use dial

body soap.

Night before surgery:

Shower and shampoo your hair as usual. Do not shave any part of your body.

Make sure you use a clean towel, put on clean night wear and fresh clean sheets on

your bed after using these wipes.

Follow the skin prep steps listed below after you shower and make sure your skin is

completely dry before starting.

SKIN PREP:

Using scissors to cut off the end seal of 3 packages of CHG wipes. Each package

contains two wipes.

DO NOT use CHG wipes on your face, hair, genitals or areas where you

have open sores.

Use all 6 wipes, 1 wipe for each body area.

For example:

 1 wipe for your right arm and hand

 1 wipe for your left arm and hand

 1 wipe for your right leg and foot

 1 wipe for your left leg and foot

 1 wipe for your abdomen and groin (avoiding the genital area)

 1 wipe for your back and buttocks.]

Wipe each area back and forth and ensure all parts of your skin are covered. Please

be thorough.

After using the wipes, DO NOT  rinse your skin or apply lotion, moisturizer or make up.

Your skin may feel sticky; let it air dry and put on clean night clothes Throw away the

wipes in the trash can.

Do NOT flush the wipes down the toilet.