The operative site is clipped (#40 clipper blade) and all hair removed (central vacuum in prep room).  The skin is wiped with a clean, moist 4" x 4" gauze sponge to remove most hair and debris before the surgical scrub.

Add Chlorhexidine Gluconate scrub and tap water to the soft side (foam) of a scrub brush (previously used by surgeon).

Apply this mixture to the entire clipped area, collecting any loose hairs or debris and matting the hair around the edges away from the operative site.

Discard scrub brush and repeat steps 2 and 3, as needed.

With another brush, begin scrubbing at the incision area for the first 2 minutes.  Do not stray from the proposed incision site at this time.

For the last 2 minutes, scrub the remaining clipped area without moving back to the incision area.  Avoid the hair or any other relatively contaminated area until the very end.

After a total contact time of 4 minutes, the lather can be wiped off.  This is done with a sterile gauze 4" X 4" sponge beginning at the incision area.  Always move away from the incision area, then discard.  When a sponge touches the edge of the hair or any other contaminated area, it is discarded.  Do not touch the skin with your fingers, unless you are wearing sterile gloves.

If any visible dirt is collected on the sponges, repeat the entire procedure as needed (Steps 2 - 7).

The entire scrubbed area is then sprayed with a final preparation solution of 0.5% Chlorhexidine Diacetate in 70% isopropyl alcohol.  This spray solution is made by diluting 1 part Nolvasan^R (2% Chlorhexidine Diacetate) in 3 parts 70% isopropyl alcohol or a commercial product called Nolvaprep (0.5% Chlorhexidine acetate and 5% isopropyl alcohol by volume in a special surfactant base).