This customizable document, Skin Preparation Protocol, is taken from MCN Healthcare’s Outpatient Surgery and Ambulatory Services Policy and Procedure Manual. For more than 20 years, MCN has been the health care industry’s leading provider of policy and procedure templates, forms, competencies and other compliance tools.

MCN provides more than 80 health care specific policy and procedure manuals for Acute Care Hospitals, Ambulatory Care, Behavioral Health, Home Health, Physician Practice, and Long Term Care. MCN’s policy and procedure manuals focus on the latest healthcare "hot topic" issues related to patient safety and prevention of medical healthcare errors.

Here is some sample content from Skin Preparation Protocol:

	POLICY: The patient's surgical site shall be assessed for moles, warts, rashes or other conditions prior to skin preparation and will be documented. Hair Removal: Hair at the surgical site shall be removed only if it will interfere with the procedure. CDC and AORN recommendations A physician's order must be obtained for any shave prep. Only personnel trained and skilled in skin preparation techniques shall prepare the surgical site. Hair removal shall be completed as close to the surgery time as possible. Hair removal shall not be performed in the surgical suite to prevent...
Second excerpt:
	...reusable head, or a depilatory cream may be used for shave preps. Disinfect reusable shaver heads between patients. If using a depilatory, follow the manufacturer's instructions. Conduct a pretest to ensure the patient does not have a sensitivity to the depilatory. Note: Skin Cleansing and Surgical Prep: Skin cleansing shall be done before the surgical skin prep. The patient shall clean the area by showering, shampooing or washing the surgical site area, if able. The surgical team...