SSIs are Surgical Site Infections. The current incidence of SSIs is approximately 7%. They are defined as infections which can occur in the superficial (skin & subcutaneous tissue), deep incisional (fascia & muscle), or organ spaces of a patient’s body. See the CDC’s SSI Event guidebook for more details.

SSIs start with an invasive surgical procedure. Following the procedure, the patient is left with a large wound, and is either kept in the hospital for monitoring or discharged shortly thereafter. Aside from intermittent control visits, the patient is then fully responsible for their own recovery and wound care for at least the next 30 days. Within the 3 weeks following the procedure, they can develop an infection. 

Despite preventative measures taken by hospitals and surgeons during procedures, and despite patients keeping their wounds as clean and healthy as they can, infections can still occur. It is largely unknown exactly why infections occur, but the responsible pathogens are well elucidated. These tend to be the endogenous flora that are naturally occurring all over our bodies and in the area of the surgical site. While bacterial infections are the most prevalent, fungal infections can exist. Below is a list of the most common pathogens:

◦ Staphylococcus aureus

◦ Coagulase-negative staphylococci

◦ Enterococcus

◦ Escherichia coli

◦ Hospital-acquired MRSA

Complications of SSIs can include slowed wound healing, scarring, amputations, sepsis, and even death. Current treatments and interventions for infections include systemic antibiotics or ointments, but in cases of more advanced and severe complications, the window of interventions narrows tremendously.

Infections typically present with some or all of the following: swelling, heat, redness, fever, pus, and foul smells. However, some inflammation and redness is normal and part of the natural healing process.