What is a Surgical Site Infection (SSI)?
A surgical site infection is an infection that occurs after surgery in the part of the body where the surgery took place. Most patients who have surgery do not develop an infection. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that infections develop in about 1 to 3 out of every 100 patients who have surgery. Some of the common symptoms of an infection are:
- Redness and pain around the area where you had your surgery
- Drainage of cloudy fluid from your surgical wound
- Fever
What are some of the things that Beebe Healthcare is doing to prevent Surgical Site Infections?
All healthcare providers are cleaning their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub before and after caring for each patient. If needed, hair in the area of your surgery will be removed with clippers. A razor will not be used. Antibiotics may be given to you before your surgery and, if given, will be stopped within 24 hours after your surgery.