Comparing sterile bag rubbing and paint on technique in skin preparation of the hands

Abstract

The sterile bag rubbing technique is a quicker alternative method for surgical site preparation in hand surgery and has comparable efficacy to the widely practised standard paint-on technique.

Microbial counts in hands with and without nail varnish after surgical skin preparation: a randomized control trial

“…Seven days after application of the nail varnish, each participant returned and both hands were prepared using the bag immersion technique (Chou et al., 2011; Incoll et al., 2009) with 10% povidone-iodine (Betadine, Purdue Pharma L.T., Stamford, CT, USA) for 2 minutes as measured by a timer. The bag was carefully removed and the limb allowed to air dry for a further 3 minutes after which sampling was performed.…”

“…Microbial testing was performed using Hygiene Check Slides (Fort Richard Laboratories Ltd, Otahuhu, Auckland, New Zealand), which contain an iodophor neutralizing agent (Chou et al., 2011) to counteract any continued inhibition of microbes by the surgical preparation solution following sampling (Kampf et al., 2005). Samples were taken from two sites on each index finger – the nail plate and hyponychium.…”

“…Different methods for surgical preparation have been studied previously and the use of 10% povidone-iodine via the bag immersion technique was found to be superior in terms of speed and quality of preparation (Chou et al., 2011; Incoll et al., 2009). The goal of surgical preparation is to decrease the number of organisms on and around the operative site to reduce the potential for infection (Eberlin and Ring, 2015).…”

Randomised comparison of two skin preparation methods in foot and ankle surgery

“…Two separate groups, Incoll et al and Chou et al [11,12] have separately demonstrated significant improvements in reduction in either positive bacterial culture growth [11] or in preparation time [12], when using this novel method for preoperative skin preparation in hand surgery. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that skin preparation of the foot and ankle with the bag immersion method is as efficient and effective at elimination of surface skin flora, when compared to the traditional painting method.…”