THE IMPACT OF SURGICAL

WOUND INFECTIONS
By: Kellie Smith & Natalie Pierce
 Surgical wound infections are the costliest and
most common type of hospital-acquired infection.

Nurses play a crucial role in preventing infections

by providing quality care to all patients and
taking initiative to promote patient safety.

THE IMPACT OF SURGICAL WOUND INFE CTION S 2

 Surgical wound infections have a large impact on the global
health care system and on a patient's personal status.

• Increased hospital stay

• Additional healthcare costs
• Mortality
• Discomfort
• Disability
• Lack of independence
• Psychological health
• Family needs
• Being out of work

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 INCIDENCE
The incidence of surgical
wound infections ranges from
160,000 to 300,000 patients a
year in the United States
COST
The cost of these infections
ranges from $3.5 billion to
$10 billion per year
THE IMPACT OF SURGICAL WOUND INFE CTION S
PERCENTAGE
These infections account
for 20% of all hospital-
acquired infections
EFFECT
Studies show that surgical
wound infections increase
hospital stays up to 9.7
days
4
CAN BE RELATED TO HOSPITAL STAYS, OCCUPATIONS,
DISEASES, ETC.

• Having surgery that lasts • Having secondary

more than 2 hours medical diseases

• Having emergency • Having diabetes

surgery
• Elderly adults
• Having abdominal
surgery • Smoking

• Immunocompromised • Being overweight

(cancer)

THE IMPACT OF SURGICAL WOUND INFE CTION S 5

to decrease the occurrence of surgical wound
infections:
• Proper assessment and documentation
• Monitoring patient conditions and treating
symptoms promptly
• Continuously assessing skin and taking actions
immediately if needed
• Nursing education
• Smoking cessation before/after
• Following isolation precautions
• Following sterile technique
• Monitoring and controlling patient blood
glucose levels
• Prophylactic antibiotics
• Topical and local antibiotics
• Chlorhexidine bathing before/after
• Referring a dietician to plan healthy meals that
promote wound healing

THE IMPACT OF SURGICAL WOUND INFE CTION S 6

 to decrease healthcare costs

HAND HYGIENE MEDICAL ASEPSIS SKIN ASSESSMENT

Hand hygiene is the number
one way to prevent the
spread of
infection. Healthcare
workers, patients, and visitors
should consistently practice
good hand hygiene.
Proper sterile technique,
maintaining sterility, and
proper disposal should be a
priority to help prevent
hospital acquired
infections.
Skin should be assessed
every time eyes are laid on
the patient, and proper
positioning should be
addressed consistently.

THE IMPACT OF SURGICAL WOUND INFE CTION S 7

 SKIN ASSESSMENT
• Consistently checking skin
around incisional areas
• Notify RN/HCP if redness,
edema, inflammation, fever, or
yellow drainage is present
PROPER POSITIONING NUTRITION
• Turning every 1-2 hours • High-protein
• Alleviating pressure on • Healthy calories
wounded areas • Vitamins B, C, and K
• Preventing • Adequate fluid intake
friction/shear
• Proper body alignment

MEDICATION PROPER HEALING

• Follow HCP orders on taking
medications
• Do not stop medication when
symptoms resolve, continue
until prescription is finished
THE IMPACT OF SURGICAL WOUND INFE CTION S
• Keep incisional area clean and
dry
• Use proper creams and
bandages, and dispose of them
properly
• Avoid smoking
• Avoid tight clothing 8
• Good hand hygiene for patients and healthcare
workers to prevent initial infection
• Follow guidelines for isolation protocols and
medical asepsis to prevent the spread of
infection
• Consistently assess skin for all patients
• Prevent longer or reoccurring hospital stays

THE IMPACT OF SURGICAL WOUND INFE CTION S 9

 References

Holman, H. C., Williams, D., Johnson, J., Ball, B. S., Wheless, L. K., Leehy, P., & Lemon, T. (2019). Rn Adult Medical Surgical Nursing:

Review module. Assessment Technologies Institute.

Holman, H. C., Williams, D., Johnson, J., Sommer, S., Ball, B. S., Morris, C., Leehy, P., & Hertel, R. (2019). Fundamentals for Nursing:

Review Module. Assessment Technologies Institute.

Nursing practices in the prevention of post -operative wound infection ... (2019). Retrieved July 8, 2022, from

http://www.internationaljournalofcaringsciences.org/docs/73_1 -boga_special_12_2.pdf

Postoperative wound infection - statpearls - NCBI bookshelf. (2021, December 12). Retrieved July 7, 2022, from

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560533/

ScienceDaily. (2017, January 19). Surgical site infections are the most common and costly of hospital infections . ScienceDaily. Retrieved

July 7, 2022, from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/01/170119161551.htm

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