Surgical site infections account for approximately one-third of all hospital-acquired infections in hospital patients. To help combat this statistic and improve infection control, Joseph Sabik III, MD, chairman of the department of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery at the Cleveland Clinic and director of Cleveland Clinic's cardiothoracic training program, offers three tips to help prevent SSIs following cardiac surgery.
1. Assess appropriate timing of antibiotics. Dr. Sabik authored a study that suggested "refinement" of antibiotic administration timing by analyzing patient-specific risk factors could help reduce the risk and rate of infection. Additionally, he says stopping antibiotics approximately 24 hours after surgery may help reduce the potential for antibiotic resistance.
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2. Remove hair from surgical site right before surgery. Dr. Sabik suggests hair removal directly prior to making the surgical incision to reduce the risk of infections developing in any of the minor cuts that go along with hair removal. He also says evidence suggests the use of clippers may be less likely to cause infections than using a razor.
3. Assess individual risk factors. Certain risk factors, such as excess body weight and diabetes, can heighten a patient's chance of developing an infection. Making note of potential complications can help patients and physicians prepare for surgery and reduce the risk of complications.
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