Thank you for choosing Children’s Hospital of Georgia at Augusta University for the health care of your child. You can play an important role in reducing the risk of infection in your child before surgery. Please use the 2% chlorhexidine gluconate cleanser liquid soap (CHG*) that has been provided to bathe your child the night before and morning of surgery. This will help lower the amount of germs on the skin.

Please report any rashes, infections, open areas, or sores on your child’s skin to his/her surgeon before the scheduled surgery date for any further instructions.

IMPORTANT: Bathe your child with the CHG* liquid soap provided to you by the clinic. The parent or guardian should perform the bathing in the younger child and supervise the older child to make sure that washing is done effectively. The CHG* must be in contact with skin for 2-3 minutes before being rinsed off with plain water. AVOID APPLYING CHG* TO THE FACE AND/OR GENTIALS

WARNING: Do not use CHG* soap in; 1) anyone allergic to chlorhexidine, 2) infants less than 3 months of age, or 3) children with open wounds. These children should only use baby shampoo.If CHG* is swallowed do not induce vomiting. Call your nearest emergency room or poison control.

Cardiovascular and Orthopedics

Please contact the ChildrenÔs Hospital of Georgia pre-op clinic if you have any questions regarding these instructions. Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 706-721-5229

Please follow the instructions below:

•Shower or bathe your child with the CHG* liquid soap provided (or baby shampoo in those children in who should not use CHG*) the evening before surgery and the morning of surgery.

•Apply one teaspoon (1tsp) of CHG* liquid soap to a clean wet wash cloth. •Turn water off to prevent rinsing the soap off too soon.•Apply the CHG* soap to the whole body below the neck only. Wash gently for (3) minutes. Be sure to

wash under arms, in all skin folds and especially between fingers and toes. •Turn the water back on and rinse well to get the soap off your child’s body.•Pat the skin dry with a clean, soft towel, or instruct your child to do so, if older.•Your child should sleep in freshly laundered pajamas/or bed clothes.

•Do not use CHG* near the eyes, ears, mouth or genitals to avoid irritation to those areas. •Do not allow the child to sit in the water to avoid irritation to the genitals.•Do not wash your child with regular soap after CHG* or baby shampoo is used.•Do not apply lotions, oils, or powder after bathing.

Do’s:

Do Not’s:

1446 Harper Street, Augusta, Georgia 30912 706-721-CARE augustahealth.org

Revised 12/2016

Pediatric Preoperative Bathing Instructions