reestablish a clean environment after each operation. There are no data to support routine disinfecting of environmental surfaces or equipment between operations in the absence of contamination or visible soiling. When visible soiling of surfaces or equipment occurs during an operation, hospital disinfectant should be used to decontaminate the affected areas before the next operation. A preoperative antiseptic shower or bath decreases skin microbial colony counts. But they have not definitively been shown to reduce SSI rates. Many SSI prevention techniques are directed at reducing opportunities for microbial contamination of the patient's tissues or sterile surgical instruments; others
