Preventing and managing surgical site infections

Abstract

Health-care-associated infections are a public health challenge and a considerable media and public concern. In a UK prevalence survey, surgical site infections accounted for 14% of health-care-associated infections; almost 5% of patients having surgery developed a surgical site infection (Smyth et al, 2008). Surgical site infections may affect the superficial tissues of the incision, the deep fascial and muscle layers, or an organ or body space encountered during the operation. They are associated with increased morbidity, mortality and costs of care, and doubling of the length of hospital stay (Leaper et al, 2004; Coello et al, 2005).