Which hand hygiene practice is recommended for surgical asepsis?

The recommended practice for surgical asepsis is to apply chlorhexidine and ethanol to the hands. This combination is effective because chlorhexidine has broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties that are effective against bacteria, viruses, and fungi, while ethanol provides rapid bactericidal activity. Together, they significantly reduce the microbial count on the skin, which is crucial in a surgical setting to prevent surgical site infections.

Using chlorhexidine and ethanol ensures that the hands are adequately prepared for procedures that require a sterile environment, adhering to the strict standards of infection control necessary for surgical techniques. This practice contributes to maintaining aseptic conditions during surgery, protecting both the patient and healthcare providers from potential infections.

The other options do not meet the rigorous standards required for surgical asepsis, as they do not provide the same level of antimicrobial effectiveness necessary in this context.