Bacterial Decontamination: Bowel Preparation and Chlorhexidine Bathing

Abstract Infectious complications following bowel surgery continues to be a leading cause of postoperative morbidity. Both patient- and procedure-related factors contribute to risk. Compliance with evidence-based process measures is the best strategy for prevention of surgical site infections. Three process measures that aim to reduce the bacterial load present at the time of surgery are mechanical bowel preparation, oral antibiotics, and chlorhexidine bathing. There is heightened awareness of surgical site infections, in part due to improved access to reliable postoperative complication data for colon surgery as well as incorporation of surgical site infection into public reporting and pay-for-performance payment models. As a result, the literature has improved with regard to the effectiveness of these methods in reducing infectious complications. Herein, we provide the evidence to support adoption of these practices into colorectal surgery infection prevention programs.