Surgical site infection (SSI) is a common healthcare-associated infection that can cause patients extreme pain and discomfort, resulting in prolonged hospitalisation and additional costs to the NHS. Multidisciplinary team working, combined with audit and surveillance, early recognition of signs and symptoms of infection, and implementation of evidence-based guidance are essential for reducing the incidence of SSI. Nurses caring for patients in the pre, peri and post-operative period have an important role in advising individuals about the risks associated with SSI and how infection should be managed.
Nursing Standard. 28, 48, 50-58. doi: 10.7748/ns.28.48.50.e8958
Correspondence Peer reviewThis article has been subject to double blind peer review
Received: 07 March 2014
Accepted: 28 April 2014
Keywords :
surgical - surgical wounds - wound care - infection - infectious diseases - healthcare-associated infections - HCAIs - infection control - infection prevention - wound infections - surgical site infections - teamwork - multidisciplinary teams - multidisciplinary working - pre-operative care - post-operative care
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