Surgical Site Infections

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Did you know that 60% of Surgical Site Infections are preventable?

  • One in 20 patients undergoing a surgical procedure suffer with a surgical site infection   
  • That's 5% of surgical patients  
  • That's equivalent to one child in every classroom, 260 people at every Royal Albert Hall concert, and 500 people at every Man Utd football game
  • 60% of surgical site infections are preventable 
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Time to tackle Surgical Site Infections

Surgical site infections (SSI) present a considerable challenge for healthcare systems across the world, including in the UK, and have a substantial impact on patients and healthcare professionals. Despite clear evidence and guidelines on how to reduce the risk of these infections on a global, regional and national basis – and the fact that research shows up to 60% of SSIs are preventable  – infection rates remain high. Progress has been made in recent years, yet more than 5% of patients undergoing a surgical procedure still develop an SSI and each infection has been estimated to cost the NHS between £10,000   and £100,000 per patient.  

With the NHS doing all it can to reduce the risks to the public from Covid-19, the vital role of infection prevention in improving health outcomes has never been higher in the public consciousness or on the political agenda. As elective care resumes across the country, now is an opportune moment to reflect on how we can work together to minimise the risks from other forms of healthcare associated infections, such as surgical site infections (SSIs).

 

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Prevention is better than cure

Patients who contract SSIs face a host of issues, with potentially life-changing effects:

  • the pain and discomfort of a serious infection
  • longer hospital stays with the possibility
    of weeks or even months off work
  • side effects of extended courses of antibiotics – with the risk of resistance
    ever present
  • potential loss of an infected limb
  • greater likelihood of re-admission to hospital for further surgery – often a repeat

 

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front page of QIP document

Evidence and Best Practice

At Molnlycke we promote best practice and give you the tools you need to implement change. 

View our evidence and best practice

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We're here to help

 

Our dedicated team of Surgical Site Infection specialists are ready to partner with you to tackle SSIs in your hospital.

Contact us here 

Visit our educational hub

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SSI prevention product range

'References'