What are surgical site infections (SSIs)?
• Surgical site infections (SSIs) are one of the leading causes of HAIs. In fact, individuals contract 500,000 to 780,000 SSIs in the U.S. annually.11,12 • SSIs represent 22% of HAIs1 and have a mean treatment cost of $25,546 (range $1,783 to $134,602).7 • SSIs result in at least 3.7 million additional days of hospitalization and cost $1.6 billion in hospital charges annually in the U.S.11 • Certain surgical sites are more prone to infection13 • SSIs not only impact a hospital’s bottom line, they can also have lasting effects on patients. When compared to patients without an infection, patients with SSIs are14: • Twice as likely to die. • Sixty percent more likely to be admitted to an Intensive Care Unit. • More than five times more likely to be readmitted after discharge. • More likely to experience a disability lasting longer than 60 months (an effect in almost 20 percent of all SSIs.
