Surgical-site infection

Surgical-site infection (SSI) is the most common healthcare-associated infection (HCAI). Between 5 and 10% of patients undergoing surgery are estimated to develop an SSI with an associated increased length of stay and increase in morbidity and mortality. SSIs place a financial burden of 1 billion pounds per annum on National Health Service resources. The majority of SSIs are preventable. Measures can be taken at the pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative stage to reduce the risk of developing an SSI.