September 4, 2024 – With greater than 4 many years of expertise as an an infection preventionist, Maureen Spencer has seen her share of surgical web site infections (SSIs). “The worst, for my part, are whole joints,” says Spencer, Med, BSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC and impartial advisor. “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 might 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 advisor 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 concern of JHC.