Learning Objectives
- Summarize SSI rates and risk factors
- In the context of antimicrobial stewardship, demonstrate when to administer prophylactic antibiotics and identify which antibiotics and antibiotic doses are appropriate
- Identify and minimize infection risks posed by healthcare workers (hand hygiene, clothing, PPE)
- Participate in safety culture and process improvements to reduce SSIs
- Classify types of SSIs for reporting purposes
- Perform warming techniques to ensure normothermia
- Employ skin and environmental cleaning practices to prevent SSIs
- Quantify effectiveness of mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) Use additional infection prevention measures as required by surgery type (wound protectors, antimicrobial coated sutures, wound irrigation)
Course Description
This course examines a wide range of SSI prevention strategies, including proper and timely antibiotic use, meticulous environmental and surgical site disinfection, and effective patient temperature and glucose maintenance.
Did You Know...
- Surgical site infections (SSI) are the most common nosocomial infection in the United States, accounting for 20% of all hospital-acquired infections (HAIs)
- SSIs are associated with a 2- to 11-fold higher risk of patient mortality and an average increased cost of $20,000 per infection
- It is estimated that 60% of SSIs could be prevented if individuals adhered to evidence-based guidelines
Target Learners:
Average Completion Time:
Co-development Partner(s):