Ab or vag prep first?

[IVyPush-her]

Does it matter what you do first? I was told to do whatever I felt more comfortable with. I was just wondering what everyone elses opinion was.

Julie

[OnCall4Life]

The Association of Operating Room Nurses guidelines say that it is best to work from clean to dirty. If you have to do the vag prep first then you must use a seperate prep and change gloves. You should change gloves before you put in the foley also. Just be careful and don't go back over your prepped area. A large majority of patients are getting an antibiotic before surgery anyway but you really should not let that prevent you from doing a good prep.

[chartleypj]

I read that too, Sandy

While it seems contrary to past practice, it makes sense that anything spashed onto the lower abd from the perineal prep would contaminate the abdomen.

Until there is a change in practice back to prepping the abdomen first, I will adhere to whatever practice AORN supports.

Paula