August 21, 2024 – With greater than 4 many years of expertise as an an infection preventionist, Maureen Spencer has seen her share of surgical website infections (SSIs). “The worst, for my part, are complete joints,” says Spencer, Med, BSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC and impartial marketing consultant. “When the {hardware} will get contaminated, the prosthetic joint will get contaminated, in order that they have to find out how far into the joint the an infection has traveled. Is it within the joint capsule and may they do an irrigation and debridement, or have they got to go in there and pull that {hardware} out?”

In nearly all SSI instances, sufferers have to remain within the hospital longer or are readmitted. It’s devastating for the affected person and costly for the hospital.

“Sufferers don’t need an an infection,” mentioned impartial marketing consultant Peter Graves, BSN, RN, CNOR, talking on a podcast about SSIs with Spencer and Repertoire Writer Scott Adams. “Not solely are they devastated economically, it’s a major burden on the household, the payer and the affected person.”

Learn extra within the newest challenge of JHC.