Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG) Instruction Sheet

At Texas Health Center for Diagnostics and Surgery, we are committed to providing you with the very best healthcare. Because your health and safety are important to us, THCDS is taking part in state and national patient safety programs to reduce the risk of infections in the surgery setting. 
Please read all of these instructions ﬁrst and follow them closely: 
•	Bathing with the antiseptic soap solution, Hibiclens® or chlorhexidine gluconate before surgery, greatly reduces the number of germs on the skin. This process is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). DO NOT use this antiseptic solution if you are allergic to CHG (chlorhexidine gluconate). If you are allergic to chlorhexidine gluconate, use an antibacterial soap such as Dial. 
•	DO NOT remove any hair. Avoid shaving or the use of any topical hair removers at or around the surgical site. 
•	DO NOT use antiseptic solution from the neck up. Do not use on hair. Do not allow solution to get in your eyes, ears, nose, or mouth. Do not use in genital area. (If there is contact with these areas, rinse immediately and thoroughly with plenty of water.) 
•	If rash, redness, itching or any other symptoms of allergy occur, stop use immediately and/or call the poison control center right away, 1-800-332-3073. 
•	This solution is for your use only. Do not give it to anyone else. 

The night before surgery: 
•	Wash and rinse your hair ﬁrst, using your normal shampoo. Make sure you completely rinse the shampoo from your hair and body. 
•	Then shower from the neck down with antiseptic solution. Use half (1/2) of the solution the night before surgery and save the other half for your morning shower. 
•	Apply the antiseptic solution to a wet clean washcloth. 
•	Turn the water off in the shower or move away from the water spray to avoid rinsing the soap solution off. 
•	Lather your entire body from the NECK DOWN. Never use the antiseptic solution near your eyes, ears, nose, mouth or genitals. 
•	Gently wash your body and focus the scrub on the areas where the incision(s) will be located for about 3 minutes. Avoid scrubbing the skin too hard. 
•	Once you have completed the scrub, turn the water on and rinse the soap solution off of your body completely. 
•	DO NOT wash with regular soap after you have used the antiseptic soap solution. Pat yourself dry with a clean, freshly washed towel. 
•	DO NOT apply powders, deodorants, lotions, creams, hair products, or make-up. 
•	Dress with freshly washed clothes. Make sure your bedding is freshly washed. 

The morning of surgery: 
•	Please REPEAT ABOVE INSTRUCTIONS 
•	Dress with freshly washed clothes.