Orthopaedic Infection: Prevention and Diagnosis

Abstract

Host optimization, reduction of bacteria, and establishing proper wound environment in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative periods are the traditional cornerstones of infection prevention. Most institutions have standardized a systems approach to reduce the incidence of surgical site infections. Typically, these systems-based approaches promote protocols for hand and environmental hygiene, patients risk assessment and screening, surgical delays for identifiable and modifiable risk factors, infection surveillance, antibiotic stewardship programs, communication/coordination of care, physician 360° reporting, and unit-based safety programs. Despite the institution of these prevention efforts, there remains controversy about the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a number of these approaches.