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Is surgical site infection guidance always followed? Take our survey!

Surgical site infections (SSIs) continue to cost lives, as well as adding to the financial costs for the NHS. So, what are the key areas in theatre practice that require improvement?

Anecdotally, we know that there is wide variation in compliance with best practice in terms of surgical site infection prevention. Patients continue to experience hypothermia – a significant risk factor for infections, but are theatres treating this is an adverse event and delaying surgery until patients are properly warmed and normothermic?

Are razors still being used to remove hair, instead of clippers, despite evidence to show that this increases the risk of infection? Furthermore, if compliance to SSI prevention guidelines is not always achieved, what barriers are theatre staff experiencing?

Speaking at Salford’s Operating Theatres Conference, Pauline Harrington, National surgical site infection surveillance manager, Public Health England, commented: “Patients die from SSI and we know it is avoidable. By looking for SSIs, you can identify the problem and address it.”

There is an increased awareness of the need for post-dicharge surveillance to fully understand the true rates of infection, but are Trusts actively looking for infections in patients that have returned home?

The Clinical Services Journal is seeking answers to these questions with an anonymous reader survey, with a view to raising awareness. Please take part in the survey by clicking on the link https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/MK2DCXN and share your views. We will be sharing the results of the survey in the coming months…

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Upcoming Events

Central Sterilising Club - Annual Scientific Meeting 2024

Crowne Plaza at Gerrard’s Cross
15th April 2024 – 16th April 2024

DECON UK 2024

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
17th April 2024

Infection Prevention & Control

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
23rd - 24th April 2024

Theatres & Decontamination Conference 2024

Coventry Building Society Arena
16th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Birmingham

Millennium Point, Birmingham
18th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Exeter

University of Exeter
22nd June 2024

Access the latest issue of Clinical Services Journal on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Clinical Services Journal app from your device's App store

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