Methods of preventing surgical site infections

Abstract

Healthcare-associated infections are the most common and relevant to all healthcare facilities of all types. Surgical site infections are the most frequently reported type of healthcare-associated infections. Surgical site infections are also one of the main causes of prolonged hospital stays, prolonged antibiotic therapy, unplanned re-hospitalizations, worsened long-term patient outcomes and the prescription of additional surgical interventions. At present, it is prevention that has been identified as the single most important strategy to combat surgical site infection. The proposed three-stage model combines perioperative interventions as well as interdisciplinary collaboration to continuously improve the quality of care. This approach includes preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative prevention methods. Current preoperative strategies for the prevention of surgical site infections can significantly reduce the risk of developing this nosology; one important aspect of preoperative prophylaxis includes the identification, elimination, and/or correction of modifiable as well as non-modifiable risk factors. In addition, it is possible to identify intraoperative risk factors, of which the duration of surgical intervention is fundamentally important. Postoperative risk factors include hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus, postoperative wound care and blood transfusion. Many effective ways of preventing surgical site infections have been developed, which include separate methods of preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative prophylaxis, however, only through the implementation of a comprehensive model that combines all perioperative measures, health care institutions will be able to effectively reduce the incidence of healthcare-associated infections and improve patient outcomes. Despite the fact that currently there is an active development of new methods of surgical site infections prophylaxis, the direct implementation of these technologies in the practical activity of specialists is of primary importance.