Why patient empowerment is important for SSI prevention
Guidelines
| Guideline | Recommendation | Category (if mentioned) |
| CDC3 | “Educate the patient and family regarding proper incision care, symptoms of SSI, and the need to report such symptoms.” | Category II |
| WHO4 | - | - |
| NICE1 | “Offer patients and carers clear, consistent information and advice throughout all stages of their care. This should include the risks of surgical site infections, what is being done to reduce them and how they are managed. For more guidance on providing information to adults and discussing their preferences with them, see the NICE guideline on patient experience in adult NHS services.” | - |
| “Offer patients and carers information and advice on how to care for their wound after discharge.” | - | |
| “Offer patients and carers information and advice about how to recognise a surgical site infection and who to contact if they are concerned. Use an integrated care pathway for healthcare-associated infections to help communicate this information to both patients and all those involved in their care after discharge.” | - | |
| “Always inform patients after their operation if they have been given antibiotics.” | - | |
| KRINKO5 | The Commission recommends that, in addition to the necessary information about the risks associated with the operation, the patient should be given basic information about the possibilities of preventing an SSI through hygiene-conscious behaviour and timely information about a deviating healing process. | Category II |
HARTMANN:
Denise Leistenschneider, Senior Clinical Consultant
“Infection prevention is a complex task that primarily concerns the patient and should therefore involve them closely.”
Recommended instructions
The risks of an operation5 and surgical site infections1
What is being done to reduce SSI1
How SSI are managed1
The possibility of preventing SSI by hygiene-conscious behaviour5
How to take care of the wound after discharge1,3
How to recognize a surgical site infection and the symptoms1,3
That and who to inform in case of healing deviations1,3,5
Patient empowerment from the patient's perspective6
Agreement with importance of patient participation to prevent SSI2
Participation strategies considered most effective2
Oral presentation (47.2% and 75%)
Videos (40.7% and 58.7%)
Leaflets (30.9% and 58.7%)
All content and recommendations listed are to be regarded as extracts from the original literature and do not claim to be exhaustive.
- NICE (2020) Surgical site infections: prevention and treatment. NICE guidelines. Published: 11 April 2019. Last updated:19 August 2020. www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng125.
- Oliveira MC, et al. (2023) Patient participation in surgical site infection prevention: perceptions of nurses, physicians and patients. Rev Esc Enferm USP 57: e20220459.
- CDC (1999) Guideline for Prevention of Surgical Site Infection. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 20(4): 247–278.
- WHO (2018) Global guidelines for the prevention of surgical site infection. World Health Organization 2018.
- KRINKO (2018) Prävention postoperativer Wundinfektionen. Empfehlungen der Kommission für Krankenhaushygiene und Infektionsprävention (KRINKO) beim Robert Koch-Institut. Bundesgesundheitsbl 61: 448–473.
- Seale H, et al. (2015) Ask, speak up, and be proactive: Empowering patient infection control to prevent health care-acquired infections. Am J Infect Control 43(5): 447–453.
In focus
Multidrug-resistant organisms
Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) are on the rise worldwide. Due to the limited treatment options for MDRO infections, hygiene management plays a key role in their prevention. Learn all about hygiene measures and effectiveness of disinfectants.
Publications
Scientists around the world work daily to identify and assess infection risks. This scientific debate is an indispensable prerequisite for increasing the safety of patients and medical staff.
Here you will find a selection of recent studies and publications...
Here you will find a selection of recent studies and publications...
Expert Advice
We are happy to answer your questions about our products, application and compatibility. Our advice covers all topics related to disinfection, hygiene and infection control.
Learn more…
Learn more…
Related & interesting
Risk prevention
Reduced preparation time in wards and operating theatres means fewer mistakes and more treatment and surgeries.
Patient underlayer
How to support the change-over process between patients treated in sequential interventions?
PREVENTIA® Surgical Irrigation
Surgical irrigation is a crucial measure in preventing SSI. Discover our new fluid to take your common practice to the next level.