What defines a surgical wound infection?
A surgical wound/site infection is defined by the following criteria: • Infection must occur within 30 days of the surgical operation. • And at least one of the following is present: • Purulent discharge from the surgical site • Purulent discharge from wound or drain placed in wound • Organisms isolated from aseptically obtained wound culture • Must be at least one of the signs and symptoms of infection – pain or tenderness, localised swelling, or redness/heat. Other signs of wound infection include: • Delayed healing not previously anticipated. • Discolouration of tissues both within and at the wound margins. • Abnormal smell coming from wound site. • Friable, bleeding granulation tissue despite appropriate care and management. • Lymphangitis, a red line originating from the wound and leading to swollen tender lymph glands draining the affected area. Surgical site infections do not include stitch abscesses, episiotomy infections, newborn circumcision scars, or infected burn wounds.
