Tools for Surgical Site Infection Prevention

Shaving Versus Clipping

At one time, preoperative shaving versus clipping was a debate, but since then clipping has taken a clear lead.

“Clipping is superior based on older data, probably because of less trauma to the skin itself,” Sawyer says. “We clip about 99 percent of the time in our hospital, and my impression is it is becoming the method of choice at most other hospitals.”

Ducey says clipping is the “de facto standard.” He says his facility has been clipping exclusively for many years, and suggests that clipping immediately before an operation is best.

For Manning, there is also no question about shaving versus clipping. He adds that using a razor for skin prep should never happen.

“The literature clearly shows that shaving puts patients at a higher risk of infection due to the trauma to the skin that can drastically increase the amount of organisms growing on the skin,” Manning says. “Due to the adoption of the SCIP (Surgical Care Improvement Project) measure by CMS, I think most hospitals are becoming increasingly compliant with clipper use.”