Traditional hospitals, some with tremendously high rates of surgical site infections could (and should) take a lesson from ambulatory care centers, as they boast traditionally much less, even zero sometimes, rates of surgical site infections. There are many theories why this is:
One theory suggests that patients are in a healthier environment to begin with  no sick patients coughing in the corridors  and are thus less likely to be exposed to pathogens. Another theory suggests that because the surgery is typically shorter, there is less time for the wound to be exposed compared to a traditional, inpatient procedure. And a third theory suggests that the patients themselves are healthier, and are thus less likely to be susceptible to pathogens to which they are exposed.
Regardless, I hope that as hospitals move to reduce their infection rates they will study ambulatory care centers closely and see what they could possibly take with them to help improve their infection rates.
Ambulatory surgery centers, Awareness, HA MRSA, infection rates, MRSA .gif)
2 responses so far ↓
MRSA Notes » Research is Showing Antimicrobial Gauze is useful in SSI’s // Oct 26, 2006 at 11:17 am
[...] Much ado has been made lately about Surgical Site Infections (SSI’s) and how they are one of the most commonly reported nosocomial (healthcare-acquired) infections. Dr. Robert Penn has been doing his own research on them, trying to discover what can be done to lower the rates of infection. Good for him!! He has found that antimicrobial gauze (traded under the name Kerix AMD Gauze Dressing from Tyco Healthcare) was indeed helpful. [...]
Karen Mattson // Jan 11, 2008 at 11:35 am
If a patient has had a history of MRSA , was treated and has had no further problems, when do you need to give propholactic treatments in preop, ambulatory surgery. ( specific GYN, GI procedures)
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