The conditions under which an operative procedure is carried out are stringently controlled to minimize the potential for contamination of the surgical wound. Sterile instruments, techniques of surgical asepsis, and operating room personnel all contribute to the maintenance of a safe environment. The patient's own skin, however, can serve as a source of contamination because of the resident flora and bacteria that are normally present on and within skin layers. Surgical skin preparation, which is the subject of this program, helps to control this important environmental factor. The purpose of this program is to provide nurses an understanding of the principles of surgical skin preparation to reduce the risk of postoperative wound infection. | 
