Bathing Before Surgery - Joint Replacement Service

  • Bathing with Hibiclens (chlorhexidine) before surgery helps to get your skin clean and remove germs that live on the skin. This reduces your risk of infection after surgery. 

  • Hibiclens can be bought at most drug stores.

  • You need to bathe with Hibiclens twice before your surgery: Once the night before your surgery and again the morning of your surgery.

  • Do not use Hibiclens on your hair or anywhere above the neck.

  • You should not shave with a razor or use hair removal creams on your legs for 10 days before your surgery.

Night before surgery

Taking a shower or tub bath:

  1. Wash with regular soap and water and rinse off. 

  2. Shampoo and rinse your hair as usual. 

  3. Pour 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of Hibiclens on a clean washcloth. Wash the area where you will be having your surgery first. Then wash the rest of the body, leaving the groin area until last. 

  4. Allow the Hibiclens to stay on the skin for 5 minutes, then rinse off completely. 

  5. Use a clean towel to dry off. 

  6. Put on clean clothing and be sure to have clean sheets on your bed.  

Taking a bed bath

  1. Wash with regular soap and water and rinse off. 

  2. Place 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of Hibiclens solution in a wash basin of clean water. Wash the area where you will be having your surgery first. Then wash the rest of the body, leaving the groin area until last. 

  3. Allow the  Hibiclens to stay on the skin for  5 minutes, then rinse off completely.

  4. Use a clean towel to dry off.

  5. Put on clean clothing and be sure to have clean sheets on your bed.

Morning of surgery

  • Repeat the above steps except for shampooing your hair.

  • You are now ready for surgery with the cleanest possible skin!

If you develop a skin problem between now and your surgery, please tell your doctor as soon as possible!