Prevention of Surgical Site Infections
Sparks Regional Medical Center is working to reduce the risk of
surgical site wound infections by providing prophylactic antibiotics
for certain selected surgical operations before the surgery and by
discontinuing prophylactic antibiotics within 24 hours after surgery.
There are also steps that you, as a patient, can take to make sure the
surgery is as safe as possible. For example, your doctor or nurse can
tell you how to wash with an antibiotic soap the day before surgery. You
can also give your doctor or nurse a list of all your medications,
including vitamins, herbal medicines, and over-the-counter medications.
You should also tell your doctor or nurse about any allergies and bad
reactions to anesthesia.
Why is this Important?
Antibiotics are medicines that prevent and treat infections. Research
shows that surgical patients who receive antibiotics within the hour
before their operation are less likely to acquire wound infections.
Receiving an antibiotic earlier, or after surgery begins, is not as
effective.
- Sometimes patients get an infection after surgery, even if the hospital
took steps to prevent it. Here are signs to look out for:
-
The surgical wound is red, hot, and swollen.
- You have a fever of over 100 degrees after you go home.
- A smelly or yellow/green fluid is coming out of the wound.
- Your pain is increasing even though you are taking pain medication.
Call your doctor or local hospital immediately if you have any of these signs.