perioperative skin

[tgaal]

I have experienced skin errosion on patients with the use of a certain addhesive remover. I was not able to find any material about the safety of using these products before sugical prep. Long time inpatients frequently arrive with multiple sites of addhesive built up on their skin , that we remove in the OR with addhesive remover , that I have seen causing red irritated spots, often errosions . It cannot be safe practice , it can conrtibute to SSI.

Is there any research or literature about this . Anyone has an advice ?

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

I don't know about research, but AORN Guidelines may be able to help. Personally, instead of attempting to scrub off adhesive residue with the adhesive remover, I've found it much gentler to the skin to soak gauze with the adhesive remover and lay it over the spot, allowing the adhesive remover to soak in briefly. Much easier to remove that way, and while the patient's skin may redden, I've never seen skin erosion. Also, you may want to check the policy for your facility on rotating EKG sticker placement. Mine are required to be moved every 24 hours, but I can guarantee that doesn't happen. Perhaps some educational reinforcement would help.