Issue link: https://blog.providence.org/i/1398259
11 IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR BATHING BEFORE YOUR SURGERY Follow these instructions carefully: 1. Use the Chlorhexidine soap provided to you from hospital or purchased at the store. You can find it at Fred Meyers, Rite Aid, Walgreens, Walmart or at any drug store. 2. Shower the night before surgery AND the morning of surgery, use several capfuls of the bottle or a single packet for each shower. 3. If you are having joint replacement, spine or brain surgery you should start showering with the soap 4 days before your surgery. You will take a total of 5 showers with soap, the 5th being the morning of surgery. Use a few capfuls of soap from the bottle. 4. Please remove all jewelry including body piercing jewelry prior to showering. Leave jewelry off until after your surgery. 5. Hair should be shampooed, if desired, with regular shampoo and all soap and shampoo should be rinsed off thoroughly PRIOR to using soap. 6. Apply a few capfuls of bottle or one packet of soap on a clean washcloth. 7. WASH THE SURGICAL SITE WELL PRIOR TO WASHING THE REST OF THE BODY. 8. Then wash the rest of your body including all skin folds, from the neck down to your toes. If help if available, have someone wash your back and other areas you may be unable to reach. 9. Use soap only from the neck down and avoid the genital area and do not get soap in your eyes or ears-if you do, rinse immediately. 10. After washing, rinse thoroughly with the running water. Do not use any other soap or body rinse on your skin. 11. Use a clean towel for each shower and dress in clean clothes or pajamas. 12. The night before your surgery, make sure you sleep on clean sheets. Do not let your pets sleep in the bed with you. 13. Rinse tub/shower thoroughly after use of soap. 14. DO NOT APPLY LOTION, POWDER, DEODORANT OR PERFUME/AFTERSHAVE OF ANY KIND TO YOUR SKIN AFTER BATHING