Postoperative Infections FREE

Infections after surgical procedures (operations) can cause pain, poor wound healing, need for further treatment including antibiotics, longer hospital stays, and increased health care costs. Postoperative infections may cause severe problems, including failure of the surgical procedure, other surgical complications, sepsis, organ failure, and even death. Some persons are at higher risk of developing postoperative infections than others. Ways to try to prevent these types of infections include giving antibiotics before a procedure, when appropriate; making sure the patient is in the best condition possible before elective surgery; using an antiseptic solution to "prep" the area around a surgical incision; maintaining sterility (no bacteria or other organisms, such as viruses or parasites) of the surgical area (also called the "surgical field") and operating tools; and having operating room staff wear clean scrub clothes, hats, and masks. The June 23/30, 2010, issue of JAMA contains an article evaluating measures designed to reduce the risk of infections that occur after surgical procedures.

A national effort to reduce postoperative infections, sponsored by many organizations involved in surgical patient care and health care quality, the Surgical Care Improvement Program (SCIP) was launched in July 2006. Several steps were recommended, and some extra steps were added later, to help prevent surgically related infections. These include appropriate choice of preoperative antibiotics, proper timing and duration of antibiotic dosing, clipping of hair (instead of shaving) around a surgical incision site, keeping appropriate blood sugar levels for persons with diabetes (especially for individuals having heart surgery), and keeping patients having colon surgery at a normal body temperature.

To find this and previous JAMA Patient Pages, go to the Patient Page Index on JAMA's Web site at http://www.jama.com. Many are available in English and Spanish. A Patient Page on quality of care was published in the October 22/29, 2008, issue; one on MRSA infections was published in the October 17, 2007, issue; one on inappropriate use of antibiotics was published in the August 19, 2009, issue; and one on intensive care units was published in the March 25, 2009, issue.

Sources: World Health Organization; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; American College of Surgeons; American Society of Anesthesiologists; Surgical Care Improvement Project; The Joint Commission; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

The JAMA Patient Page is a public service of JAMA. The information and recommendations appearing on this page are appropriate in most instances, but they are not a substitute for medical diagnosis. For specific information concerning your personal medical condition, JAMA suggests that you consult your physician. This page may be photocopied noncommercially by physicians and other health care professionals to share with patients. To purchase bulk reprints, call 312/464-0776.

TOPIC: INFECTIONS