Surgical Site Infections
Surgical site infections are considered preventable. Because such infections are considered preventable, there are legal consequences directly connected to such a condition. In this paper, I will discuss what an SSI is and the reasons on why it is considered to be preventable. I will also discuss the role of disclosure and legal implications that are related to SSIs, accreditation expectations, and continuous quality monitoring as it relates to SSIs.
A surgical site infection, or SSI, is an infection of a wound that was made due to surgery. Such infections can be superficial (infection of skin only) and other infections can be more serious (deep tissue infection). A superficial infection at the surgical site is defined as “an infection that developed within 30 days of surgery and involved only the skin and subcutaneous tissue” (Kuzu, M. A., Hazinedaroglu, S., Dolalan, S., Özkan, N., Yalçin, S., Erkek, A. B., . . . Ercümet Kuterdem., 2005). Deep tissue SSI is a bit more complex as it may take a little longer for the infection to be detected. Deep tissue SSI is defined as “an infection that developed within 1 year post-surgery and involved the fascial layer and muscle layers” ((Kuzu, M. A., Hazinedaroglu, S., Dolalan, S., Özkan, N., Yalçin, S., Erkek, A. B., . . . Ercümet Kuterdem., 2005). It is important for patients to know the difference between superficial and deep tissue SSI and be aware of complications that can develop due to SSI so that they can be more careful of their role in SSI prevention.
SSI is, for the most part, preventable. A patient can contract an infection in many ways; one way is as a hospital acquired condition, also known as healthcare associated infection, nosocomial infection or HAI. “Postoperative surgical site infections (SSI) are the third most common health care associated infection.” (Jakobsson, J., Perlkvist, A., & Wann-Hansson, C) An HAI is an infection that is not present at the time the patient is admitted to a healthcare
A surgical site infection, or SSI, is an infection of a wound that was made due to surgery. Such infections can be superficial (infection of skin only) and other infections can be more serious (deep tissue infection). A superficial infection at the surgical site is defined as “an infection that developed within 30 days of surgery and involved only the skin and subcutaneous tissue” (Kuzu, M. A., Hazinedaroglu, S., Dolalan, S., Özkan, N., Yalçin, S., Erkek, A. B., . . . Ercümet Kuterdem., 2005). Deep tissue SSI is a bit more complex as it may take a little longer for the infection to be detected. Deep tissue SSI is defined as “an infection that developed within 1 year post-surgery and involved the fascial layer and muscle layers” ((Kuzu, M. A., Hazinedaroglu, S., Dolalan, S., Özkan, N., Yalçin, S., Erkek, A. B., . . . Ercümet Kuterdem., 2005). It is important for patients to know the difference between superficial and deep tissue SSI and be aware of complications that can develop due to SSI so that they can be more careful of their role in SSI prevention.
SSI is, for the most part, preventable. A patient can contract an infection in many ways; one way is as a hospital acquired condition, also known as healthcare associated infection, nosocomial infection or HAI. “Postoperative surgical site infections (SSI) are the third most common health care associated infection.” (Jakobsson, J., Perlkvist, A., & Wann-Hansson, C) An HAI is an infection that is not present at the time the patient is admitted to a healthcare