How much does surgical site infections cost?

While costs of an SSI vary widely based on the degree of infection and the site of surgery, the estimated average cost of an SSI can be more than $25,000, increasing to more than $90,000 if the SSI involves a prosthetic implant. Overall, SSIs cost the US healthcare system an estimated $3.5 to $10 billion annually.

How do you calculate surgical site infection rate?

The ratio of the observed number of SSIs (O) that occurred to the expected number (E) is called the standardized infection ratio or SIR: SIR = O/E. The SIR is deceptively simple. It is an easy way to interpret summary measures of the SSI experience of an individual surgeon, service, or hospital.

What is the national average for surgical site infections?

SSIs occur in 2% to 4% of all patients undergoing inpatient surgical procedures. Although most infections are treatable with antibiotics, SSIs remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality after surgery.

What is the mortality rate of surgical site infections?

SSI is associated with a mortality rate of 3%, and 75% of SSI- associated deaths are directly attributable to the SSI4.

What is the most common cause of surgical site infections?

Causes and risk factors of surgical site infections Infections after surgery are caused by germs. The most common of these include the bacteria Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Pseudomonas.

What is the most common type of surgical site infection?

Most SSIs are caused by the patient’s own bacterial flora. The most common microorganisms causing surgical site infection are Staphylococcus aureus (20 percent), Coagulase negative staphylococcus (14 percent) and enterococcus (12 percent).

How is a surgical site infection treated?

Most surgical site infections can be treated with antibiotics. The antibiotic given to you depends on the bacteria (germs) causing the infection. Sometimes patients with SSIs also need another surgery to treat the infection.

How long does a surgical site infection take to heal?

It may take days, weeks, or even months for the wound to be clean, clear of infection, and finally heal. If the wound does not close by itself, you may need a skin graft or muscle flap surgery to close the wound.

What does an infected surgical incision look like?

Drainage from the incision: Foul-smelling drainage or pus may begin to appear on an infected incision. 7 It can range in color from blood-tinged to green, white or yellow. The drainage from an infected wound may also be thick, and in rare cases, chunky. Pain: Your pain should slowly and steadily diminish as you heal.

Are surgical site infections serious?

Surgical site infections can sometimes be superficial infections involving the skin only. Other surgical site infections are more serious and can involve tissues under the skin, organs, or implanted material. Symptoms include: Redness and pain around the area where you had surgery.

What antibiotic is used for surgical site infection?

Antibiotic Prophylaxis to Prevent Surgical Site Infections

Surgery	Common pathogens	Recommended antimicrobials*
Orthopedic	S. aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci	Cefazolin, cefuroxime sodium, or vancomycin
Vascular	S. aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci, enteric gram-negative bacilli	Cefazolin or vancomycin

What is the HICPAC guideline for surgical site prevention?

Perioperative Management Strategies • Implement glycemic control (blood glu- cose levels ≤200mg/dL) for both dia- betic and non-diabetic patients. This updated recommendation now includes both diabetic and non-diabetic patients and provides a specific blood glucose target level. • Maintain normothermia.

What is the purpose of the HICPAC Committee?

HICPAC is a federal advisory committee appointed to provide advice and guidance to DHHS and CDC regarding the practice of infection control and strategies for surveillance, prevention, and control of healthcare-associated infections, antimicrobial resistance and related events in United States healthcare settings. Next Meeting.

What can you do as a preventionist for surgical site infection?

SUMMARY OF UPDATED, KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION GUIDELINE FOR THE PREVENTION OF SURGICAL SITE INFECTION, 2017 WHAT CAN YOU DO AS AN INFECTION PREVENTIONIST TO IMPLEMENT THE GUIDELINES AND PREVENT SSI?

Who are the authors of the 2017 HICPAC guideline?

PREVENTION IN ACTION 2017 HICPAC-CDC Guideline for Prevention of Surgical Site Infection: BY MICHAEL ANNE PREAS, RN, BSN, CIC; LYNDSAY O’HARA, PHD, MPH; AND KERRI THOM, MD, MS