An evidence based protocol for preoperative preparation.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) represent a major source of morbidity and mortality among surgical patients (Swenson et al 2009). The most common source of SSls is the patient's own skin flora (Zinn et al 2010). A literature review was performed on the impact of the different intraoperative skin preparation solutions in reducing the risk of SSIs, concluding that 2% chlorhexidine in spirit is the most effective.