PREVENTION OF SURGICAL SITE INFECTIONS
A surgical site infection (SSI) is an infection that occurs after surgery at the incision site that was made for your procedure. Most patients who have surgery do not develop an infection. However, infections develop in 3 % of patients who have surgery. The physicians and staff at the Dearborn Surgery Center want you to be an informed patient and help us prevent surgical site infection. Please review the following information to help you become more knowledgeable about your care and recovery.WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT THE DEARBORN SURGERY STAFF AND PHYSICIANS ARE DOING TO PREVENT SURGICAL SITE INFECTIONS?
• Hands and arms, up to elbows, are cleaned with an antiseptic agent just before surgery.
• Before and after the care of each patient, hands are cleaned with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
• Electric clippers, not razors, are used to remove hair in the operative area if needed.
• Hair covers, masks, gowns, and gloves are worn during surgery to keep area clean.
• Special soap that kills germs is used to clean the surgery site.
• If necessary, intravenous antibiotics prior to the start of surgery may be given.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP PREVENT SURGICAL SITE INFECTIONS? BEFORE YOUR SURGERY:
• Tell your doctor about other medical problems you may have. Health problems such as allergies, diabetes, and obesity could affect your surgery and your treatment.• Quit smoking. Patients who smoke get more infections. Talk to your doctor about how you can quit.
• Please shower or take a bath the day of surgery or night before.
AFTER YOUR SURGERY:
• Make sure your healthcare providers clean their hands before examining you, either with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner.• Family and friends who visit you should not touch the surgical wound or dressing.
• Family and friends should clean their hands before and after visiting you. If you do not see them, cleaning their hands ask them to do this.
WHAT DO YOU NEED WHEN YOU GO HOME FROM THE SURGERY CENTER?
• Before you go home, your doctor or nurse will explain everything you need to know about taking care of your wound before you leave the Center. Be sure to read your discharge instructions.• Always clean your hands before and after caring for your wound.
• Before you go home, make sure you know who to contact if you have questions or problems after you get home.
• If you have any symptoms of an infection, such as redness and pain at the surgery site, drainage of cloudy fluid from the site, or a fever, call your doctor immediately.
If you have any additional questions, please call us at the Center – 313-253-2030