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Update on Prevention of Surgical Site Infections

  • Wound Care After Injury (H Kaafarani and J Goverman, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Trauma Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review summarizes recent surgical site infection (SSI) prevention guidelines/guideline updates that are relevant to surgery and wound care after injury and reviews a sample of recent literature relevant to SSI.

Recent Findings

The quality of evidence supporting guidelines/guideline updates is quite variable. The strongest support is for appropriately timed preoperative antibiotics when indicated and for alcohol-based skin preparation before incision when feasible.

Summary

New guidelines for SSI prevention are available from the American College of Surgeons, the Centers for Disease Control, and the World Health Organization. There are recommendations common to all three reports that trauma/acute care surgeons should be aware of.

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References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: •• Of major importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Burns, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, GRB1300, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    John T. Schulz III

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  1. John T. Schulz III
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Correspondence to John T. Schulz III.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Wound Care After Injury

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Schulz, J.T. Update on Prevention of Surgical Site Infections. Curr Trauma Rep 5, 1–5 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40719-019-0157-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40719-019-0157-3

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