What does surgical hand hygiene/antisepsis require before operations?

Surgical hand hygiene or antisepsis is a critical procedure that aims to eliminate transient microorganisms on the hands before surgical procedures. The correct answer emphasizes the importance of using either an alcohol-based hand rub or washing hands as effective methods for reducing the microbial load.

Alcohol-based hand rubs are preferred because they are highly effective at killing a wide range of pathogens quickly, do not require rinsing, and facilitate rapid drying. On the other hand, washing hands with soap and water is also essential, especially when hands are visibly soiled or after using the restroom, as thorough washing can physically remove dirt and pathogens.

Using plain soap and water alone is inadequate for surgical antisepsis since it does not provide the same antimicrobial properties as alcohol-based solutions or specific antimicrobial soaps defined for surgical use. While wearing gloves is critical during procedures to maintain surgical asepsis, it does not replace the necessity of proper hand hygiene prior to donning gloves. An antiseptic wipe alone may not provide the comprehensive disinfection required for surgical hand hygiene, as it may not cover all areas of the hands effectively or provide a thorough enough antiseptic action compared to dedicated hand rubs or washes. Thus, the correct response reflects the dual approach of using effective hand hygiene measures that are essential in preparing