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Antimicrobial incise drapes

SSI prevention Why antimicrobial drapes? Global guidelines Our solutions Surgical drape types Resources Contact us
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SSI prevention
Why antimicrobial drapes?
Global guidelines
Our solutions
Surgical drape types
Resources
Contact us

Reducing SSIs is possible with 3M™ Ioban™ antimicrobial incise drapes

Every patient undergoing surgery faces the risk of contracting a surgical site infection (SSI), primarily due to their skin.1,2 The skin can contain over 1 million bacteria per square centimeter.3 Unfortunately, SSIs not only affect a patient’s quality of life but also create stress for patients and their families. Additionally, they place a significant operational and financial burden on healthcare systems and professionals. 

Stretching drape over patient's abdomen, 3M™ Ioban™ 2 Antimicrobial Incise Drape In Use Image - Preparing Patients for Surgery - Abdomen 2, Sept 2022, Product Application Image, rgb, tif

The true toll of SSIs

2-5%

of all patients undergoing inpatient surgery develop SSIs.4

Icon illustrating immobilize bacteria icon - light

$60k

is what a single SSI can cost.4

Icon illustrating person and cost - light

2-11x

increased risk of mortality.6

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Antimicrobial incise drapes: Create a sterile surface at the beginning of surgery

Backed by 40 years of strong clinical evidence

Prevent possible wound contamination with antimicrobial incise drapes. Antimicrobial Incise drapes create a powerful physical barrier to prevent objects like instruments, gloves and sponges from contacting the patient’s skin, reducing the risk of contamination that could cause a costly and potentially devastating SSI.



 

During surgery, you need a trusted solution to help prevent microbial regrowth or residual microbes from migrating into the wound or incision site. Guard against SSIs with 3M™ Ioban™ 2 Antimicrobial Incise Drape. Our drapes reduce the risk of surgical site contamination which can lead to SSIs and other complications so that you can protect the surgical site and deliver compassionate care.

What makes our antimicrobial incise drape different 

Continuous antimicrobial activity

Provides continuous broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity to help reduce the risk of surgical site contamination. Demonstrated antimicrobial activity against MRSA in ex vivo human skin samples after 6 hours of contact.7

Icon illustrating microbes with arrows - black and green
Immobilises bacteria

Immobilises and isolates residual bacteria on the skin, helping to prevent migration into the surgical incision area.

Icon illustrating antimicrobial - black and green
Conformable adhesion

Adheres and conforms to the operative site, helping the drape to stay in place and allowing for limb manipulation during surgery. Designed for a variety of surgeries and applications.

Icon illustration of conformable ioban 2 - black and green

Global guidelines recommend antimicrobial incise drapes

A growing number of international guidelines recommend the use of antimicrobial drapes over non-antimicrobial drapes. In fact, guidelines are shifting to distinguish between the benefits of antimicrobial and non-antimicrobial incise drapes. 

Ioban 2 Antimicrobial Incise Drape

KRINKO (2018)8

Evidence indicates that antimicrobial-impregnated incise drapes result in a reduction in bacterial colonization of the surgical site.

While bacterial colonization of the incision may predispose to subsequent SSI/PJIs, there is no literature to demonstrate that the use of incise drapes results in clinical differences in the rates of subsequent PJIs.

NICE (2019)9

Do not use non-iodophor-impregnated incise drapes routinely for surgery, as they may increase the risk of SSIs.



If an incise drape is required, use an iodophor-impregnated drape unless the patient has an iodine allergy.

ORNAC (2025)10

The use of adhesive surgical incise drapes without antimicrobial properties is not recommended to prevent SSIs.

Iodophor impregnated adhesive drapes may be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s IFU to decrease SSIs, unless contraindicated by a patient’s allergy.

Support your surgical protocol with our solutions

We’re dedicated to making your patient’s surgical journey safer and easier. Explore our broad portfolio of evidence-based antimicrobial incise and specialty fabric drapes designed to help protect patients and staff while helping to deliver optimal outcomes — every patient, every time.

3M™ Ioban™ 2 Antimicrobial Incise drapes

Designed with continuous broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity in the drape adhesive where it can’t be washed away. Clinically proven to help reduce the risk of wound contamination and immobilise bacteria on the skin.

3M Ioban 2 Antimicrobial Film Incise Drapes, application, drape, surgical drapes, iodophor impregnated adhesive, conformable, surgery, Asepsis Products, operating room, surgeon, 6635, 6640, 6648, 6650, 6651, FR7023

3M™ Ioban™ 2 Antimicrobial Incise Drape with Easy Delivery (EZ)

Polyethylene liner is designed to come off smoothly, effortlessly, with no tearing, for easier drape delivery. Drape and liner feature a full-width handle for control of liner release and drape application. 

Stretching drape over patient's knee, 3M™ Ioban™ 2 Antimicrobial Incise Drape In Use Image - Preparing Patients for Surgery - Knee 2 - Sept 2022, Product Application Image, rgb, tif

3M™ Ioban™ 2 Antimicrobial Incise Drape film

Our wide range of specialty drapes are designed with integrated Ioban 2 Antimicrobial Incise Drape Film.

6661EZ
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The proof is in the science

Surgeons all over the world rely on 3M™ Steri-Drape™ Surgical Drapes to help support infection prevention in their operating rooms. Our single-use surgical drapes, made with innovative technologies and advanced materials, deliver exceptional performance and offer reliable infection prevention.

Types of surgical drapes:

Nonwoven

Creating a sterile operative environment by aseptic application of sterile materials.

Surgery performed on patient, tif photo

Plastic

Provide a barrier with non-sterile and sterile plastic drapes.

4.1.1

Incise

Creates a sterile surface on the skin which acts as a barrier to help skin flora from migrating into the incision site.

Stretching drape over patient's abdomen, 3M™ Ioban™ 2 Antimicrobial Incise Drape In Use Image - Preparing Patients for Surgery - Abdomen 2, Sept 2022, Product Application Image, rgb, tif

Equipment

Provides sterile draping of non-sterile equipment so that it can be brought into the surgical field.

Surgery back table trifecta
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Contact a Solventum representative

We're here to help! Our team of representatives can provide you with information and resources to help you. Submit the form below to speak with a Solventum representative to learn more about your options.

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Reference

  1. Reichman DE, Greenberg JA. Reducing surgical site infections: a review. Rev Obstet Gynecol. 2009;2:212–21.
  2. Cheadle WG. Risk factors for surgical site infection. Surg Infect (Larchmt). 2006;7 Suppl 1:S7–11.
  3. Percival SL, Emanuel C, Cutting KF, Williams DW. Microbiology of the skin and the role of biofilms in infection. Int Wound J. 2012;9:14–32.
  4. Anderson DJ, Podgorny K, Berrios-Torres SI, et al. Strategies to prevent surgical site infections in acute care hospitals: 2014 Update. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2014;35(6):605–27.
  5. Anderson DJ, Kaye KS, Chen LF, et al. Clinical and financial outcomes due to methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus surgical site infection: a multi-center matched outcomes study. PLoS ONE. 2009;4:e8305.
  6. Zimlichman E, Henderson D, Tamir O, et al. Health care-associated infections: A meta-analysis of costs and financial impact on the U.S. health care system. JAMA Intern Med. 2013;173:2039-46.
  7. Casey AL, Karpanen TJ, Nightingale P, Elliott TSJ. Antimicrobial activity and skin permeation of iodine present in an iodine-impregnated surgical incise drape. J. Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. 2015.
  8. KRINKO Surgical Site Infection Prevention Guidelines, 2018.
  9. National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Surgical site infections: prevention and treatment. (NG125) Published April 11, 2019. Accessed May 3, 2022.
  10. Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada. (2025, April). Guidelines for perioperative Practice in Canada (17th ed.).http://www.ornac.ca/guidelines.phtml