Surgical Site Infections (SSI)

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Surgical site infections (SSI) are the second most common healthcare associated infections, accounting for the 17% of all HAIs in 2002. Among the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) hospitals reporting data, there were 15,862 SSIs following 830,748 operative procedures between 2006 and 2008.

Prevention of SSIs is aimed at factors related to patient, staff, environmental, and procedural risk factors.

Core strategies include:

• Administration and discontinuation of antimicrobial prophylaxis in accordance with evidence based standards and guidelines.
• Identification and treatment of remote infections before elective operations.
• Avoidance of hair removal at the operative site unless it will interfere with the operation; if hair removal is necessary, clippers or depilatory agent should be used.
• Use of appropriate antiseptic agent and technique for skin preparation.
• Maintenance of immediate postoperative normal body temperature.
• Protection of primary closure incisions with sterile dressing for 24-48 hours post-op.

Prevention Tools and Resources for Healthcare Professionals

Educational Sessions and Training Materials on HAI Prevention

Other Helpful Links for Healthcare Professionals

For more information about IPRO's SSI prevention initiative, please contact us.