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Surgical Site Infection (SSI)
A surgical site infection (SSI) is an infection that occurs after surgery,
usually in the part of the body where the surgery took place.
Tell a healthcare professional if you have:
• Fever
• Cloudy fluid draining from your surgical wound
• Redness, pain, warmth, tenderness, swelling, or a bad odor at your
surgical wound.
Follow the Steps to Prevent HAIs. Before your surgery also:
• Tell your doctor about any medical problems you have. Health
problems like allergies or diabetes could affect your surgery and
your treatment.
• Ask your doctor if there are specific instructions for bathing prior to
surgery. You may be asked to shower, or you may be wiped or bathed
with a special antiseptic before surgery.
• Ask if you will get antibiotics before surgery.
• If you are having a heart, brain, or spine surgery, ask if you need to be
screened for MRSA.
• Do not shave near where you will have the surgery. Shaving with
a razor can irritate your skin and make you more vulnerable to an
infection.
• Confirm with your healthcare team that you will not be shaved with
a razor. Your surgeon may need to remove some of your hair before
your surgery. Hair removal should be done immediately before the
surgery with electric clippers.
• Only allow healthcare professionals to touch the surgical wound or
dressings. Patients, visitors, and family members should not touch
the surgical wound or dressing while the patient is in the hospital.
Patient prompt:
When receiving instructions before a surgery, ask,
"Will I get antibiotics for this surgery? If so, when
will I get them and when will they be stopped?"
