Abstract
Surveillance of surgical site infection (SSI) in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery has been continued since June 1999. The effects of modified preparations for surgery were investigated to reduce SSI. Bathing methods were assessed beforecardiovascular surgery. Patients have taken a shower and scrub using povidone iodine since October 2000. The incidence of SSI was dramatically reduced from 9.5% to 4.8% after adoption of this disinfectant shower scrub the day before operation. The incidence was further reduced to 3.7% if the shower-scrub was taken just before surgery (P=0.034). Preoperative shower and scrub using disinfectant on the day of operation is effective to reduce SSI.
