This is the most bothersome protocol for most clinicians but should be employed except in the most emergent situations. Full-barrier protection consists of the surgeon and all assistants being fully gowned (with the ties fastened as in the operating room), masked, and gloved with sterile gloves and the patient fully draped with sterile drapes. If the procedure is a change of catheter over a wire, the surgeon should change gloves between removing the old catheter and inserting the new catheter.

Chlorhexidine has a decided advantage over aqueous iodine-based preps in reducing infection, and its use should be adopted routinely with extreme care to avoid contact with the eyes and the external ear canal. The prep should be applied via a concentrically larger circular motion for at least 20 seconds and should be allowed to dry without blotting or fanning. Alcohol-based iodine preps are felt to be less effective.