Abstract:
To formulate an expert consensus on the principles of preoperative hair removal and provide scientific guidance for standardized removal of hair before surgical procedures so as to reduce the incidence of surgical site infections.
METHODS Led by the Hospital Management Institute of National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, this consensus was reached with the joint efforts from the expects of relevant fields such as surgeries, interventional therapies, nursing, and infection prevention and control. The consensus facilitates the classification and evaluation of literatures by following the evidence grade formulated by Oxford Evidence-based Medicine Center and focuses on the association of preoperative hair removal with surgical site infection, it reaches the evidence grade of expert consensus and recommendation intensity by integrating with discussions on meetings and clinical experience of the expects from relevant fields.
RESULTS A total of 6 items of consensus were reached by summarizing the latest evidence on the aspects including the indications for preoperative hair removal, tools, range, timing and places.
CONCLUSION The consensus, to some extent, make supplements to and complete the exiting regulations and standards. It provides guidance for the medical institutions to carry out the preoperative hair removal.