8
Recommendations
Table 2. Selected Risk Factors for and Recommendations
to Prevent SSI
Risk Factor Recommendation
Quality of
Evidence
Environmental
surfaces
Use an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-
approved hospital disinfectant to clean visibly
soiled or contaminated surfaces and equipment in
accordance with manufacturer's instructions.
L
Sterilization of
surgical equipment
Sterilize all surgical equipment according the device
manufacturer's validated parameters: cycle type,
time, temperature, pressure, and dry time. Minimize
the use of immediate use steam sterilization.
M
a
Vancomycin and fluoroquinolones can be given 2 hours prior to incision.
b
Guidelines—ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE standard 170: ventilation of healthcare facilities, 2010.
Facility Guidelines Institute website. http://www.fgiguidelines.org/guidelines2010.php. Published
February 2, 2013. Accessed March 28, 2023.
(cont'd)
Figure 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's
National Healthcare Safety Network (CDC NHSN)
Classification for SSI
Modified from Horan TC, et al. CDC definitions of nosocomial surgical site infections, 1992.
