Surgical Site Infection Control: Strengthening Safety From Incision to Recovery
Surgical procedures are often life-saving, yet they carry an unavoidable risk: surgical site infections (SSIs). These infections occur within 30 days of an operation or up to 90 days when implants are used. Although modern medicine has significantly reduced complications in the operating room, SSIs remain among the most common causes of postoperative morbidity. Effective control of these infections requires a combination of scientific understanding, rigorous hygiene practices, technological advancement, and coordinated teamwork across healthcare settings.
At the center of SSI control is the prevention of bacterial entry into the surgical site. The human skin, despite being a strong barrier, carries countless microorganisms. Proper skin preparation is therefore one of the earliest and most crucial steps. Antiseptic agents like chlorhexidine gluconate or povidone-iodine are applied to reduce surface bacteria before the first incision. In many hospitals, patients are advised to…