Surgical Site Infections ( Ssis )

Surgical site infections (SSI) occur in 2 – 5% of ‘clean’ non-abdominal surgical procedures (Rothrock, 2007). Staphylococcus epidermidis is the most common cause for SSI in Orthopaedic surgery (NICE, 2008). Guidelines were produced by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to try and reduce this infection rate and include a preoperative phase, (including hair removal and antibiotic prophylaxis), an intra-operative phase and postoperative phase.

In recent years, surgical site infections are verified as one of the most errors that are common in the healthcare; however, they are also preventable. These research papers will synthesis information about surgical infections, patient experience, hospital-acquired conditions and achievement of expected treatment for specific clinical diagnoses. A surgical site infection is an infected condition in the body after surgery has occurred. Surgical site infections are caused by germs, called bacteria. Different types of bacteria from the environment may cause a delay in healing. The infection may come from surgical tools or bacteria on the skin if it is not clean correctly. Healthcare professionals use certain guidelines and

The Joint Commission Accreditation Body assesses health care organization’s compliance with National Patient Safety Goals. The goal of the Joint Commission Body is to focus on critical aspects and patient safety issues in health care organizations, which can vary according to the setting of the health care being performed (Chassin, 2008). Infections occurring in surgical sites of patients account for 15% of all infections that transpire in a hospital setting, and the risk of death doubles in patients who develop infections. The dangers of surgical site infections include superficial, deep, and organ or space infections. The different infections include cellulitis, gangrene, MRSA, and wound sinus, which can lead to amputation, organ

Burke J.P. (2003). Infection control- a problem for patient safety. New England Journal Medicine, 348(7):651-656.

Elimination of HAI’s are a top priority for many healthcare related organizations and as such, the reduction of certain types of HAIs have been achieved. On the national level, the HAI Progress Report states that there has been, “Au 46 percent decrease in central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) and a 19 percent decrease in select surgical site infections (SSIs) between 2008 and 2013” as well as “an 8 percent decrease in hospital-onset MRSA bacteremia and a 10 percent decrease in hospital-onset C. difficile infections between 2011 and 2013” (CDC, 2015).

More than one million of Healthcare associated infections happen across healthcare settings every year, or 1 in 20 people admitted to any healthcare setting (Healthy people 2020, 2013). HAIs are the most common complication seen in hospitalized patients. HAIs increase morbidity, mortality, healthcare costs, and length of stay even after adjustment for the main underlying illness. According to the Center for Diseases Control (CDC, April 2013) 5 to 10% of patients admitted to acute-care hospitals, or long-term care facilities approximately 2 million patients per year in the United States acquire a nosocomial infection. At least 90,000 deaths per year are a result of HAIs, making it the fifth leading cause of death in acute-care hospitals. These

Registered Nurses play a big role when it comes to patient care in the health care system. They use a systemic, dynamic way to collect and analyze data about a patient; we call this the assessment process (The Nursing Process, ANA, 2014). As a nurse you are not just seen as a caregiver, you are also seen as an advocate for patients who need to be cared for. We as Nurses have responsibilities such as knowing the laws, EMTALA, HIPPA, ADA and so on. Each of those laws gives us the guidelines of what we are expected as nurses.

The International Wound Infection Institute declares that because of increasing mortality rates due to SSI, it is imperative to identify patients at risk, as well as follow preventive measures to try and contain these infections. Further, groups like the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in the U.K. and the Surgical Care Improvement Program in the U.S. along with the National Health and Medical Council of Australia, agree that health care workers should be educated and have the information to prevent the spread of SSI 's. (Clinical Practice). In order to reduce the number of surgical site infections (SSIs) a number of procedures and practices can be bundled for the optimal prevention of the spread of these infections. There are procedures that can be done pre-op, during the surgical procedure, as well as post-op to ensure that a patient does not contract an infection at the surgical site. These procedures include patient safety practices, patient assessment, healthcare worker safety practices, operating room safety procedures, along with basic education of the health care workers, patient and caregivers once the patient is discharged.

Hospitals report data to The Centers for Disease Control and based on the research and viewing of the data they have concurred that “Surgical site infections are the second most common type of adverse events occurring in hospitalized patient. While advances have been made in infection control practices, including improved operating room ventilation, sterilization methods, barriers, surgical technique, and availability of antimicrobial prophylaxis, SSIs remain a

Hospital acquired infections are diseases that people acquire while they are getting treatment for another illness in a hospital. To be considered as a hospital acquired infection, the patient must not have had the disease before admitted into the hospital. Hospital acquired infections are associated with different kinds of risk factors including the use medical devices such as endotracheal, bloodstream, and urinary catheters; surgical procedures; injections; contamination of the health care environment; transmission of communicable diseases between patients and healthcare workers; and overuse or improper use of antibiotics. The most common hospital acquired infections include infections of surgical site, catheter-related infections of the urinary tract, bloodstream infections, and ventilator-related pneumonia. These four categories of infections account for more than eighty percent of all hospital acquired

The patient suffers the effects of the infection along with any long term issues associated with the infection. They do however, stand to win a settlement in court. The patient would more than likely sue for the costs of medical treatment along with pain and suffering. The goal would be to win a settlement in addition to having any future medical treatment

Preventing surgical site infection (SSI) is paramount for healthcare professionals. If there is an increasing rate of surgical infections in hospitals, the medical cost to take care of the patient would increase beyond the average rate of care for that patient. Patients who have clean or contaminated surgery are susceptible of contracting infection if the wound is not protected from harmful organisms that may be present on the skin during or after the surgical procedure. As such, the quality of patient care for controlling after surgery infection is the concern of surgeons, practitioners, healthcare planners, and the public. Preoperative and postoperative interventions are important considerations for healthcare

We are medical students at Qassim University, Working on a (Practice Towards Prevention Of Surgical Site Infection “SSI” Among Health Care Professionals In Qassim, SA) project, which needs to be accomplished through this questionnaire.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) (2016) surgical site infections (SSI) are the most frequent health associated infection (HAI) in low- and middle-income countries. There is an 11.8 per 100 incident rate for surgical procedures. Despite the fact that the United State of America is considered a high-income country, it is the second frequent HAI in the USA. The WHO has established comprehensive evidence based guidelines taking into account the differences in resource availability, values, and preferences of different populations.

Those who incorporate the best practice standards can reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with surgical site infections.