Which body part should soap and water drip down while performing a surgical scrub?

During a surgical scrub, the proper technique is essential for minimizing the risk of infection. When performing this procedure, it is important that water and soap run down from the hands and forearms towards the elbows.

The elbows are typically the endpoint of the scrubbing process, acting as a barrier that helps prevent contaminants from traveling back up towards the sterile areas of the arms and hands. By allowing the soap and water to drip down to the elbows, it ensures that any bacteria or contaminants are rinsed off effectively. This technique also aligns with the concepts of maintaining a sterile field and following proper infection control protocols in a surgical environment.

While hands, forearms, and fingers are indeed involved in the scrubbing process, the focus on the elbows as the direction for drippage reinforces the importance of thorough cleaning and helps achieve the ultimate goal of reducing the risk of postoperative infections.