Revisiting Perioperative Hair Removal Practices
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-26-2019
Publication Title
AORN Journal: The Official Voice of Perioperative Nursing
Keywords
perioperative hair removal, clipping, shaving, skin antisepsis, vacuum‐assisted hair collection device
Abstract
The standard of practice for perioperative hair removal is largely based on research that is outdated and underpowered. Although there is evidence to support the practice of clipping instead of shaving, current recommendations are to remove hair only when absolutely necessary. Human hair is bacteria‐laden and challenging to disinfect, and clipping can be a safe method of hair removal that does not damage the skin. This article considers the removal of hair at the incision site with clippers, either before the patient enters the OR or in a manner that completely contains clipped hair, for every procedure, not just when absolutely necessary. There have been only two studies to date comparing clipping with no hair removal; more research is needed on this subject.
Department
Nursing
Department
Surgery
Recommended Citation
Edmiston, Charles E.; Leaper, David J.; Barnes, Sue; Johnson, Helen Boehm; Barnden, Marsha; Paulson, Marie H.; Wolfe, Jacob L.; and Truitt, Karen, "Revisiting Perioperative Hair Removal Practices" (2019). Articles, Abstracts, and Reports. 1384.
https://digitalcommons.providence.org/publications/1384
