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Your child needs a chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) treatment before surgery to help prevent infection. Everyone has germs on their skin. These germs do not usually cause problems; but, surgery can increase the chance of infection. This is why it is important to bathe with CHG the night before surgery.
Depending on the type of surgery, your child may get a CHG treatment the night before surgery. Your child will then get a CHG treatment the next day, at the hospital.
If having surgery during your hospital stay, the nursing staff will do a CHG treatment the night before and morning of surgery. Your child may also receive a daily treatment with CHG while they are in the hospital to help reduce the risk of infection.
If your child was told to bathe at home the night before with the CHG cloths, please follow these directions.
Do not follow the instructions on the back of the package.
Do not put the CHG cloths in the microwave.
Do not apply the cloths directly to the face, head, or genital area.
Do not use any other hair care products except for shampoo.
Do not rinse or wipe off the CHG after using the cloths. It is normal for the skin to feel sticky.
Do not use lotion, makeup, or deodorant.
Do not shave or wax 3 days before surgery.
Do not flush the CHG cloths down the toilet.
Do not use the CHG cloths if you are allergic.
How to Use the CHG Cloths
The night before surgery, your child can shower or bathe as he/she normally would with soap and water. Be sure to use a clean washcloth or new sponge/loofa. Wash his/her hair with shampoo only. Do not shave.
Dry your child with a clean towel and dress him/her in clean clothes. Let your child’s skin dry for about 1 hour before using the cloths.
Open CHG cloth package, remove cloths, and place them on a clean surface.
Wipe your child’s skin as shown in the picture. Use one wipe for each area of skin as shown by the numbers on the picture.
It is important to wipe the skin folds where the legs meet the body.
You child should put on clean underwear and clothes. Be sure that pillowcases, bedsheets, comfort items are all washed and clean.
*If you do not have the CHG cloths, please use regular soap to bathe your child the night before. Wash his/her hair with shampoo.
Tips for warming cloths at home:
Do not microwave the cloths
Place sealed packages in warm water
Sit on the sealed packages to warm
Less than 22 Pounds (10 kg)
CHG Cloth 1
Neck, chest, arms
Back
CHG Cloth 2
Legs
Groin area (skin fold between legs and genitals but not the genitals)
Buttocks (including the crease)
22 up to 66 Pounds (10 up to 30 kg)
CHG Cloth 1
Neck, chest arms
CHG Cloth 2
Back, buttocks (including the crease)
CHG Cloth 3
Legs
CHG Cloth 4
Groin area (skin fold between legs and genitals but not the genitals)
66 Pounds or More (30 kg or More)
CHG Cloth 1
Neck, chest, arms
CHG Cloth 2
Right leg
CHG Cloth 3
Left leg
CHG Cloth 4
Back
CHG Cloth 5
Buttocks (including the crease)
CHG Cloth 6
Groin area (skin fold between legs and genitals but not the genitals)
