Reducing Surgical Site Infections and Improving Patient Outcome
Between 1997 and 1998, 78 people died of surgical site infections (SSIs). And in 2015, a CDC survey found an estimated 110,800 SSIs associated with inpatient surgeries. So, despite advancements in the health sector, there is still SSI risk.
To reduce surgical site infections, use the best surgical products. Additionally, clean the instruments with the right solutions, and wipe them even as they are being used. But that’s not all there is.
SSIs Have Many Faces
Many intrinsic and extrinsic factors contribute to SSIs, making them a multifaceted problem. So, it is difficult to know where the infection came from. It could be anything from:
- the traffic in the operating room (OR) that disrupts airflow
- the shedding of squamous cells by the people in the OR
- events outside the OR
- or an outcome post-op
How to Deal with SSIs
Here are some ways you can reduce the bioburden and biofilm left on instruments:
- When dirty instruments are not in use, soak them in water. Avoid using saline as it will erode them.
- Also, wipe instruments with a moist sponge while using them.
- Finally, please treat them with enzymatic solutions before sending them to the central processing unit.
Take Away
SSIs are inevitable, but you can prevent them with the best equipment. So, be sure to only order surgical products from credible suppliers, and you’ll improve patient outcomes.
