Newer infection prevention techniques , such as preoperative antiseptic scrubbing , are affected and may help reduce the infection rate , while traditionally accepted methods of prophylaxis such as laminar-flow operating rooms and body exhaust suits may raise the infection rate
Despite advances in our underst and ing of surgical site infections following total joint arthroplasty , this serious surgical complication continues to represent a substantial economic burden for the patient , the treating institution and the healthcare system .
After increasing for the past decade , infection rates have stabilized at 1.6 % ; however , the total cost is projected to increase with the total number of revision procedures performed .
Operating room surveillance: a new approach in reducing hip and knee prosthetic wound infections.
A prospect i ve study of surgical wound infections ( SWI ) in hip prosthesis surgery and total hip and knee replacements at two community hospitals with common surgical staffs was begun in May 1982 . The rates of SWI during the first 7 months for four orthopedic surgeons were 9 % ( 3/32 ) for hip prosthesis surgery and 16.7 % ( 3/18 ) for total hip and knee replacement , with 12 % ( 6/50 ) overall . To reduce infections , each orthopedic surgeon agreed to intraoperative surveillance ( IOS ) of two procedures ( hip prosthesis or total hip or knee replacement ) by the infection control nurse at each hospital . Significant IOS findings were too many persons in the operating room ( five to nine persons ) , operating room doors opened frequently ( 25 to 50 times ) , inconsistent use of prophylactic antibiotics , and excessive conversation . In January 1984 , IOS data and recommendations were shared with each orthopedic surgeon , the operating room staff , and the anesthesia personnel . Subsequently , a statistically significant drop in SWI was realized for total hip and knee replacement ( 1/36 versus 5/36 , p = 0.05 ) and overall ( 3/73 versus 14/116 , p = 0.05 ) . The drop in SWI for hip prosthesis surgery was not statistically significant ( 2/37 versus 9/80 , p greater than 0.10 ) . IOS and individualized communication were effective in reducing SWI
Newer infection prevention techniques , such as preoperative antiseptic scrubbing , are affected and may help reduce the infection rate , while traditionally accepted methods of prophylaxis such as laminar-flow operating rooms and body exhaust suits may raise the infection rate
Despite advances in our underst and ing of surgical site infections following total joint arthroplasty , this serious surgical complication continues to represent a substantial economic burden for the patient , the treating institution and the healthcare system .
After increasing for the past decade , infection rates have stabilized at 1.6 % ; however , the total cost is projected to increase with the total number of revision procedures performed .