Addressing the challenge of surgical site infections (SSI)
The number of surgical procedures performed in the industrialised nations of Europe is steadily increasing.
The number of surgical procedures performed in the industrialised nations of Europe is steadily increasing.
The majority of SSI following major vascular surgery only develop after discharge from hospital.
Postoperative wound infections (SSI) are the most common nosocomial infections in German acute-care hospitals.
Joint replacement surgeries are of significant therapeutic benefit for many patients, relieving pain and improving mobility. However, the advantages of such surgeries can be greatly hampered by orthopaedic surgical site infections (SSIs), which are associated with high patient morbidity. Reduction of the SSI-associated risk factors and strict adherence to infection control protocols before, during and after surgery are crucial to minimise infections and ensure a positive outcome.
Recommendations in three phases: preoperative, intraoperative, postoperative.
According to the Robert Koch Institute, the anticipated SSI rate varies depending on the type of operation that the patient has undergone, the contamination class of the operation, patient-related risks, operation-specific risks, as well as on other factors.
Accounting for approx. 24 %, SSIs are the most frequent nosocomial infections in German acute-care hospitals, while the risk of infection depends on the type of operation. Bacteria, rarely in combination with fungi, are the most common pathogens of an SSI, and the spectrum of pathogens varies depending on the surgical site and type of operation, respectively. Based on the OP-KISS (German surgical site infection surveillance) data from 2010 to 2014, the Robert Koch-Institute reports the following bacteria shares for selected surgical procedures 1:
Wound cleansing and the application of adequate phase-oriented wound dressings are an important line of defence against surgical site infections (SSI), a serious complication which affects millions of patients every year. Dressings not only act as a physical barrier to avoid wound contamination but can actively support the healing process.
