BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections are the most common nosocomial infections in orthopedic surgery. Strategies to prevent these infections are of enormous relevance. OBJECTIVES: Evidence-based procedures such as hand disinfection, prophylactic antibiotic application, hair removal with electric clippers, or preoperative treatment of Staphyloccus aureus are listed in national and international guidelines. Beside these measures, several scientifically not confirmed methods, e.g., the administration of antibiotic prophylaxis for several days or the usage of helmets during surgery, are still practiced. These measures are not evidence-based and should not be performed anymore. CONCLUSION: Only the consequent implementation of evidence-based procedures can help prevent surgical site infections.
BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections are the most common nosocomial infections in orthopedic surgery. Strategies to prevent these infections are of enormous relevance. OBJECTIVES: Evidence-based procedures such as hand disinfection, prophylactic antibiotic application, hair removal with electric clippers, or preoperative treatment of Staphyloccus aureus are listed in national and international guidelines. Beside these measures, several scientifically not confirmed methods, e.g., the administration of antibiotic prophylaxis for several days or the usage of helmets during surgery, are still practiced. These measures are not evidence-based and should not be performed anymore. CONCLUSION: Only the consequent implementation of evidence-based procedures can help prevent surgical site infections.
Authors: Lonneke G M Bode; Jan A J W Kluytmans; Heiman F L Wertheim; Diana Bogaers; Christina M J E Vandenbroucke-Grauls; Robert Roosendaal; Annet Troelstra; Adrienne T A Box; Andreas Voss; Ingeborg van der Tweel; Alex van Belkum; Henri A Verbrugh; Margreet C Vos Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 2010-01-07 Impact factor: 91.245
Authors: Rogier M P H Crolla; Lijckle van der Laan; Eelco J Veen; Yvonne Hendriks; Caroline van Schendel; Jan Kluytmans Journal: PLoS One Date: 2012-09-04 Impact factor: 3.240