Post-Operative Indications of an Infection

In the realm of surgery, the prevention of complications is paramount. One such complication is a surgical site infection (SSI), which accounts for 20% of all hospital-acquired infections. Here's what you need to know about preventing SSIs.

First and foremost, maintaining cleanliness is crucial. When checking wounds, ensure your hands are clean to minimise the risk of infection. The surgical team will teach you how to care for your wound before discharge.

If you suspect an infection after surgery, prompt action is essential. Signs of an infection may include discharge or pus, a bad odor, a change in the color of the skin, a change to the size of the incision site, a hot incision, a fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38.33 degrees Celsius), pain and tenderness. In such cases, contact your doctor immediately.

Prevention is better than cure, and this holds true for SSIs as well. Before surgery, a "prophylactic" or preventive antibiotic may be given to the patient. To further reduce the risk, follow pre-surgery recommendations or instructions, get to a healthy weight if overweight or obese, manage diabetes well, and monitor blood sugars closely in the weeks leading up to surgery.

Certain individuals have a greater risk of developing an infection after surgery. These include older adults, immunocompromised individuals, smokers, overweight/obese individuals, diabetics, those who have had a recent emergency surgery or a long surgical procedure.

Hair removal on the planned surgical site is another factor to consider. Clippers are generally safer for this purpose than razors, as they reduce the risk of surgical site infections. Timing is important too; hair should be removed right before the surgeon makes the skin incision. In some cases, the surgical team may remove hair during surgery prep.

It's important to note that overuse of antibiotics can lead to resistance, so their use should be judicious. Infections after surgery are uncommon, occurring in about 1% to 3% of people. However, if they do occur, they can spread to the bloodstream and result in septicemia and septic shock.

While specific researchers focusing on the prevention of post-operative wound infections were not mentioned in the search results, the importance of this field is undeniable. By following the guidelines outlined above, patients can play an active role in preventing SSIs and ensuring a smooth recovery.