[Risk management and postoperative infection control]

Review of nine cases of judicial precedent on the issue of the postoperative infection in Japan indicates the following issues: indication of surgery; violation of informed consent; preventive measures against nosocomial infection during the preoperative period; cleanliness control during surgery; and treatment of postoperative infection. The most important yardstick for judgment is whether the provided treatment is conformed to the level of standard medical treatment available at the time. Therefore, we should be well versed in the standard postoperative infection treatment, particularly infection surveillance data and CDC standard precautions and related guidelines. Moreover, in each hospital, an infection control team should play an important role in infection control and prevention through preparing manuals and clinical paths incorporating precautions to ensure that the whole staff comply with the prescribed procedures.