Please be aware that we have a sister practice in Bethlehem, PA

White Glove Service

General number (info & appointments): 717-599-6131
To check in ONLY: 717-599-4259

For the safety of our clients, patients, and nurses, we are currently operating 100% curbside. Our White Glove service provides the same excellent care to your pet. We are not allowing clients inside our building at this time. You WILL meet with the surgeon for any consultation and before any surgery. When you arrive at our practice, please call 717-599-4259 and our team will provide instructions for the next steps.

Surgery Infection Control & Patient Safety

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Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) are among the most serious potential complications in veterinary surgery – especially in orthopedic procedures, where bacteria can adhere to implants.

A postop infection can cause pain, delayed healing, additional surgery, prolonged antibiotic therapy, and financial stress for pet owners.

So at Harrisburg Regional Veterinary Surgical Specialty (HRVSS) in Harrisburg, PA, we take it extremely seriously.

We take multiple steps to lower the risk (sadly, complete elimination is not possible).

We are happy that our infection rate is extremely low, but we still work hard at making it even lower.

Preventing infection requires a comprehensive approach that extends far beyond sterile instruments.

Our surgical suites and protocols incorporate infection prevention standards designed to protect every patient.

What do we do to protect your pet?

  • Strict attire: surgeons and nurses adhere to strict protocols, including dedicated surgical attire, caps, masks, and sterile gowns. In fact, it’s our policy. Nobody is allowed in an OR without a cap and mask. This is non-negotiable.
  • Surgeon prep: surgeons “scrub” their hands with a surgical alcohol preparation.
  • Patient prep: most patients’ skin is scrubbed with chlorhexidine. TPLO and some orthopedic patients are also scrubbed with betadine. Then their exposed skin is covered with a sticky betadine plastic film.
  • Instrument and equipment prep: depending on the equipment, we use 2 different sterilization processes (steam vs. “gas”).
  • HEPA air filtration: our air purifier actually has a triple filter system, including HEPA filtration to maintain air purity in our ORs.
  • Controlled OR traffic: personnel movement in & out of ORs is minimized to reduce air turbulence and contamination risks.
  • OR disinfection: ORs are thoroughly cleaned & disinfected after every surgery and at the end of each surgery day.
  • Hospital disinfection: the entire practice is thoroughly cleaned & disinfected throughout the day, and at the end of each surgery day.
  • Dog walk area disinfection: our dedicated dog walk area is disinfected regularly.
  • Strict E collar policy: except for very rare surgeries, we strongly recommend keeping a plastic cone around your pet’s head until the incision is fully healed (2-3 weeks). Licking is the #1 cause of infections, and it’s completely preventable.
  • Additional buffer: we are one of the very few surgery practices that has a sterile hallway that serves as a buffer between the ORs and the rest of the practice.

What signs of infection should I watch for after my pet’s surgery?

Contact us if you notice redness, swelling, discharge, a foul odor, or your pet licking or chewing at the incision site. Catching these signs early makes treatment much more effective.

So call us OCD, but by enforcing these strict standards, we minimize infection risks and provide the safest possible environment for your pet’s surgery.