Orthopedic surgical infection prevention: host and environmental factors

Postoperative infection has the potential to be a devastating and costly adverse outcome of major orthopedic joint reconstruction. There are numerous motivations to reduce surgical site infection. The impact of this impending epidemic can be reduced by focusing on preventive strategies that successfully can reduce the burden of perioperative infection. Surgeons and health systems must pay close attention to all factors that can affect the host and the environment of care. Preventing infection must be a top priority and a unifying concern when preparing for major orthopedic surgery. Increasing the attention given to these factors is paramount if health care organizations are to address this major threat to public health successfully.