Reducing Surgical Complications: SSI and HAP
Surgical site infections (SSIs) add 7 to 11 days to a patient’s length of stay1 and increase costs by an average of $25,546.2 Patients who develop an SSI are also “twice as likely to die.”3
Patient preoperative skin preparation addresses a known risk factor for SSIs—microorganisms on the skin.1 This education section will help you bolster your SSI prevention efforts by implementing a rinse-free 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) formulation with a disposable applicator cloth.
The oral cavity is a proven source of bacteria, commonly associated with hospital-acquired pneumonias (HAPs).4 Bacteria, including dental plaque, can colonize in the oropharyngeal area, and these pathogens can be aspirated into the lungs, causing infection.5
For patients who will be intubated, administering comprehensive oral care before surgery can help minimize bacteria than can cause HAP. Click here to learn why oral care is an important element of the preoperative and perioperative care of short-term ventilated patients.