Final answer:
Surgical scrubbing is a cleaning process performed by health-care workers before surgery to reduce the normal microbiota on the surface of their skin and prevent the introduction of these microbes into a patient's surgical wounds.
Step-by-step explanation:
Surgical scrubbing is a cleaning process performed by health-care workers before surgery to reduce the normal microbiota on the surface of their skin and prevent the introduction of these microbes into a patient's surgical wounds. It is more involved than routine handwashing and may be performed with or without the use of brushes. The scrubbing starts from the fingertips, extends to the hands and forearms, and then up beyond the elbows.
During the surgical scrubbing process, health-care workers use mild chemicals, such as soap, to gently to firmly scrub their hands and forearms, reducing the microbial load on the skin or tissue. The process may vary depending on the antimicrobial used, and health-care workers should always follow the manufacturer's recommendations.