Final answer:
The technique performed prior to surgery to remove microorganisms from the hands is called surgical scrubbing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The technique performed prior to surgery to remove microorganisms from the hands is called surgical scrubbing. Surgical scrubbing is a more involved process than routine handwashing, with the goal of reducing the normal microbiota on the skin's surface to prevent the introduction of these microbes into a patient's surgical wounds. This technique involves scrubbing the fingertips, hands, forearms, and up beyond the elbows using a mild chemical (e.g., soap) to degerm and remove most microbes from the skin.