Surgical site infections in cardiac surgery – “Vision Zero”

Jan W. Borowiec

eISSN: 1897-4252
ISSN: 1731-5530

Kardiochirurgia i Torakochirurgia Polska/Polish Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

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4/2010
vol. 7

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abstract:

Surgical site infections in cardiac surgery – “Vision Zero”

Jan W. Borowiec

Kardiochirurgia i Torakochirurgia Polska 2010; 7 (4): 383–387

Online publish date: 2011/01/03

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The reported incidence of postoperative surgical site infections (SSI) of surgical wounds after cardiothoracic surgery ranges between 0,5% to as high as almost 30% and postsurgical mediastinitis varies between 1% and 5%. These, together with postoperative low output syndrome and stroke are most serious complications after heart surgery. Surgical site infections increase morbidity and mortality rates, prolongs length of hospital stay and increases cost of health care. Although great progress has been made in medical sciences and technology the situation regarding SSI has not changed to better. Just opposite, some new problems associated with infections are threatening our patients. A new approach aiming at reduction of SSI is necessary. The current circumstances constituting positives and negatives of possibility to develop sustainable strategy of SSI reduction are presented in the paper.

keywords:

Surgical site infections in cardiac surgery – “Vision Zero”

Jan W. Borowiec

cardiac surgery, surgical site infection, prevention