Sarah Hydes
Infection Prevention Specialist, Mercy Hospital, Dunedin, NZ

Sarah Hydes is a winner of the “Best New Presenter” category at the 2022 NZNO Infection Prevention and Control Conference and a recipient of the Mercy Hospital Quality Awards, overall winner with “Scrub vs Rub” and a finalist with “Clean Skin for the Win” projects. Sarah is an Infection Preventionist at Mercy Hospital Dunedin and is completing a Master's degree in Infection Prevention at Toi Ohomai (Te Pukenga). Sarah received a Bachelor of Science in Anatomy and Structured Biology from the University of Otago and a Post Graduate Certificate in Acute Care Nursing from Massey University. She earned her Bachelor of Nursing from Otago Polytechnic and has a range of clinical experience from Mental Health to Surgical Nursing. Sarah’s science and research background has contributed to her ongoing enthusiasm for Infection Prevention in the surgical care environment and a passion for research-based practice.

Scrub vs Rub: Changing Surgical Asepsis Technique for Supporting Skin Health and Compliance

Scrub vs Rub illustrates the opposing methods for appropriate surgical hand asepsis, also called "scrubbing or scrub". Using antimicrobial rub products is common in overseas hospitals and is reportedly better for skin health yet New Zealand hospitals can't let go of the trusty antimicrobial-impregnated plastic sponge and brush. The scrub vs rub presentation summarises an extensive research-based literature review on the recommendations on surgical asepsis, the observational methodology to measure the compliance of practice across the entire theatre department of Mercy Hospital Dunedin, and the use of anonymous stakeholder input. The efficacy of the scrub products used for infection prevention was assessed and education/feedback to stakeholders was created and delivered to all those that scrub. The project discovered that significant financial, sustainability and compliance gains were to be made by adapting clinical practice to rubbing, which has been recommended for more than 10 years internationally. The project was and continues to challenge the practice culture, create financial savings, and reduce waste while increasing compliance from 34% to more than 80%.