Evidence Based Practice Research
Evidence Based Practice and Applied Nursing Research
Western Governor’s University
Evidence based practice and applied nursing research encompasses selecting a perioperative procedure such as routine shaving of a surgical site which is something you would commonly find on a surgical floor. The process of shaving a perioperative site includes cleansing and shaving the site that is to be operated on. Clipping the surgical site of hair is more appropriate because it would decrease the likelihood of surgical site infection. Gregory P Nowinski noted in his article the following: “ An alternative to using razors is powered surgical clippers. Clippers mechanically trim the hair close to the skin, effectively removing it from the field, and avoid the skin trauma caused by the sharp blade of a razor. A study of open heart surgery patients showed a significant decrease in deep infections in individuals whose hair was removed by clippers compared to those whose hair removal was done with a razor” (Nowinski,2008). Doctor’s and hospital administration determined the best practice for removing the hair from the surgical site. This would remove the hair completely and all the germs contained in the hair in the hopes it would lead to less infection for the surgery. The rationale for making the decision was based on the knowledge that hair carries a number of germs that could easily infect the site. It also increased visibility of the surgical site making the surgical procedure a smoother adverse free operation. The clinical implications of shaving rather than clipping the site after review of the literature shows that shaving often leads to open areas and ingrown hair which causes surgical site infections. Clipping the hair however does not damage the skin opening it up for infection and also allows the removal of the hair so that germs from the hair do not enter the surgical site as well as giving the surgeon a better
Western Governor’s University
Evidence based practice and applied nursing research encompasses selecting a perioperative procedure such as routine shaving of a surgical site which is something you would commonly find on a surgical floor. The process of shaving a perioperative site includes cleansing and shaving the site that is to be operated on. Clipping the surgical site of hair is more appropriate because it would decrease the likelihood of surgical site infection. Gregory P Nowinski noted in his article the following: “ An alternative to using razors is powered surgical clippers. Clippers mechanically trim the hair close to the skin, effectively removing it from the field, and avoid the skin trauma caused by the sharp blade of a razor. A study of open heart surgery patients showed a significant decrease in deep infections in individuals whose hair was removed by clippers compared to those whose hair removal was done with a razor” (Nowinski,2008). Doctor’s and hospital administration determined the best practice for removing the hair from the surgical site. This would remove the hair completely and all the germs contained in the hair in the hopes it would lead to less infection for the surgery. The rationale for making the decision was based on the knowledge that hair carries a number of germs that could easily infect the site. It also increased visibility of the surgical site making the surgical procedure a smoother adverse free operation. The clinical implications of shaving rather than clipping the site after review of the literature shows that shaving often leads to open areas and ingrown hair which causes surgical site infections. Clipping the hair however does not damage the skin opening it up for infection and also allows the removal of the hair so that germs from the hair do not enter the surgical site as well as giving the surgeon a better