Chapter 2 - Microbiological Assessment before Surgical Intervention

Abstract

Although numerous studies exist about infection risk stratification of surgical patients, a comprehensive assessment of the postoperative infection risk of patients seems to be lacking. A microbiological assessment of the surgical patient before surgery, performed to identify infection risks and take adequate and appropriate steps to minimize those risks, is not possible without a holistic assessment of numerous medical, surgical, microbiological and organizational factors. In the present chapter an extensive list of patient and organizational factors which may directly or indirectly lead to postoperative infections have been highlighted, drawing on facts and figures from a wide range of references. It is emphasized that infection prevention in surgical patients requires a multi-disciplinary team approach, in which the contributions of a wide spectrum of resources and systems come into play, ranging from the cleanliness of the hospital environment to the competence of surgeons. Common infection control tools such as hand hygiene, skin disinfection, or adequate antibiotic prophylaxis are necessary but not sufficient conditions for prevention of surgical site infections.