Surgical site infections in gynecology.

IMPORTANCE

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are preventable, yet nearly 2% of all surgical cases are complicated by an SSI. Each SSI increases the cost of a postoperative hospital stay by more than $10,000. Thus, SSI prevention has become the focus of health care systems and hospitals because it is a reducible health care cost.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this review was to better understand the guidelines and recommendations related to the prevention, diagnosis, and management of SSIs.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

This study is a thorough review of the most up-to-date peer-reviewed articles and review articles as well as guidelines and recommendations of various professional organizations including the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

RESULTS

A review of the literature has identified several evidence-based recommendations that physicians should adhere to in an effort to decrease the incidence of SSIs.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

By adhering to clinical recommendations and evidence, we can correctly prevent, diagnose, and treat SSIs. In turn, this will improve health outcomes and decrease health care-related costs, thus increasing the value of health care that we provide to patients. Furthermore, we can gain improvements in the quality measures used by hospitals and insurers.