Infection prevention and control in the operating theatre: reducing the risk of surgical site infections (SSIs)
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Paul Weaving1, Felicia Cox, Sherran Milton
1Infection Prevention and Control, University Hospitals of Morecambe. paul.weaving@mbht.nhs.uk
Abstract:
Continuing advances in surgical techniques, asepsis, operating theatre protocols and ventilation systems that ensure an uninterrupted supply of clean air, should allow all patients to undergo both invasive and minimally-invasive procedures with reduced risk. Patients having surgery in the United Kingdom are probably less vulnerable to surgical site infections (SSIs) than ever before--despite persisting concerns about meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and increasing antibiotic resistance in other organisms such as vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE).
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