National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)
Be aware of the risks of using skin antiseptics in babies, in particular the risk of severe chemical injuries with the use of chlorhexidine (both alcohol-based and aqueous solutions) in preterm babies.
When deciding which antiseptic skin preparation to use, options may include those in table 1.
If diathermy is to be carried out:
- use evaporation to dry antiseptic skin preparations and
- avoid pooling of alcohol-based preparations.
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)
Before subsequent operations, hands should be washed using either an alcoholic hand rub or an antiseptic surgical solution. If hands are soiled then they should be washed again with an antiseptic surgical solution.
