Quick Facts - Surgical Wounds

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are common hospital-acquired infections, and they have an estimated annual cost of up to $10 billion in the United States. Patients with SSIs are twice as likely to die, have a 60% greater rate of intensive care unit stays, and have a five times higher chance of post-discharge hospital readmission. Given the high incidence of SSIs, their serious consequences, and the ever-present risk of antimicrobial resistance, post-operative care often includes the use of advanced wound care technologies and dressings to prevent these infections. This fact sheet for health care professionals who treat patients with surgical wounds provides essential information on SSIs, as well as strategies for prevention. The subjects covered include the following:Epidemiology of SSIsClassification of surgical woundsAntimicrobial-resistant organismsIntrinsic and extrinsic risk factors for SSIsMeasures to prevent SSIsSurgical wound complications other than SSIsDownload Quick Facts – Surgical Wound Management for the staff at your facility. With its print-friendly format, it is ideally suited for bulletin board posting, as well as for handing out at your next in-service.