What practices are essential to prevent surgical site infections?

Preventing surgical site infections (SSIs) is crucial in any surgical procedure, and fundamental to this prevention is the implementation of proper skin preparation and the maintenance of sterile techniques. Proper skin preparation involves cleaning the surgical site to remove any microorganisms that may cause infection. This can include cleansing the skin with antiseptic solutions before the procedure.

Maintaining sterile techniques during surgery is equally vital. This ensures that the surgical environment, instruments, and the surgical team are free from contaminants that could lead to an infection. Sterile draping, the use of sterile gloves and instruments, as well as strict adherence to aseptic technique during the procedure, significantly reduce the risk of introducing pathogens into the surgical site.

Using antibiotics before surgery can be beneficial in certain cases, but it should not replace the essential practices of skin preparation and sterile technique. The choice of surgical method by the patient is important for shared decision-making but does not directly affect the risk of SSIs. Admitting patients only on the day of surgery is a logistical consideration and may help with minimizing risk factors related to prolonged hospitalization but is not directly tied to infection prevention practices. Thus, the combination of proper skin preparation and sterile techniques stands out as the most effective practices to prevent surgical site infections.