Comparison of preoperative skin preparation products.

We compared application, drying, and removal times as well as user satisfaction of four preoperative skin preparation products. All products were applied to 25 subjects, allowed to dry, and removed. Operating room personnel who applied the products were asked to complete a user-satisfaction survey. Application and drying times were longest with the povidone iodine paint and scrub product (p<0.05). That product had the highest rating for overall user satisfaction. Cost-minimization analysis revealed that although alcohol-containing products had lower overall costs, savings may not outweigh associated safety risks.