Infection Prevention and Control Department.
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Advice for Patients Undergoing Surgery.
In an effort to reduce the risk of developing an infection in your wound, the Infection
Prevention and Control Department advise the following.
Prior to admission
 If you have a history of MRSA or have risk factors which may increase the likelihood
that you have MRSA please inform your Surgeon when the surgery is being arranged.
Risk factors include:
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You have been an inpatient in another hospital or nursing home within the previous
twelve months.
You have a long term in-dwelling device e.g. supra-pubic catheter, urinary catheters,
PEG tube.
You have ongoing contact with health care personnel (public health nurse, home help,
respite and physiotherapy).
You have wounds, exfoliative skin conditions and ulcers.
You are a healthcare worker involved in direct patient contact.
Hair Removal / Shaving
 Ask your surgeon about shaving in or around the operating site within 48 hrs prior to
admission
 If hair has to be removed, electric clippers with a single-use head will be used on the
day of surgery. Do not use razors for hair removal, because they increase the risk of
surgical site infection.
Day of Surgery
 Please ensure you have a shower either the night before or the morning of your
surgery. If you have been unable to do this or require assistance with showering our
staff will be happy to assist you with this.
 It is very important that you are warm when you go to theatre to have your operation.
Wear your warm dressing gown over your theatre gown, keep on your pyjama
bottoms and socks until its time to go to theatre. If you feel cold please ask for extra
blankets.
Following Surgery
Wound Care:
 You will have a dressing covering your wound after your operation. This dressing
should remain intact (not touched) until it is time to be removed. This is to ensure the
wound is not exposed to infection. Avoid showing the dressing or wound to people
and do not allow people to touch this dressing or wound.
 If your dressing or wound must be looked at to avoid infection, it is essential that the
person washes their hands thoroughly before touching your dressing or your wound.
 You will be given written instructions regarding the care of your wound and when to
remove the dressing. It is important to follow these instructions:
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If the dressing needs to be changed /replaced then you must use a clean sterile
dressing. You may be given dressings on discharge or sterile dressings can be ordered
or obtained at any pharmacy.
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If you have any concerns about the dressing or the wound- e.g. if it starts to ooze,
becomes red, inflamed or becomes more painful than it was, you must seek medical
advice.
Drain Care
 If you have a wound drain (tube coming from your wound) it is very important that
anybody (yourself, family member or healthcare worker) handling the drain must
wash their hands before they touch it.
 Avoid unnecessary handling of the drain.
 If you go home with a wound drain you will be instructed on how to manage the drain
at home. It is important that you feel confident to manage the drain before you go
home. If you feel you need extra advice or instructions our staff will be happy to
provide you with this.
Showering following Surgery
 The nurse will give you specific instructions in relation to showering depending on
the type of dressing and drain you have prior to you leaving hospital.
Date of Issue: October 2014
Revision: 1
Review Date: August 2015
Author: CNM2 Catriona Murphy
Reviewed by: Brenda O Sullivan Connolly CNS
Form nbr: 0541