SSI

A Surgical SIte Infection (SSI) is a procedure-associated HAI, resulting from an inpatient or outpatient surgery during which an incision was made through the skin or mucus membranes. An SSI is reported if an infection based on established criteria occurs in a client within 30 days of the operative procedure if no implant was left in place or within one year of the surgery if an implant was left in place, and the infection is not caused by an infection at a site in the body. SSIs can sometimes be superficial infections involving the skin only. Other SSIs are more serious and can involve tissues under the skin, organs, or implanted material.

Refer to the following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) document for more details related to SSI, such as criteria for SSI (superficial and deep), types of surgeries, settings, definition, location of attribution, and reporting instructions.

• Surgical Site Infection (SSI) Event

Only SSIs resulting from inpatient Colon surgeries or Abdominal Hysterectomies noted in any location in a facility or post discharge are required to be reported using CDC's National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) based on Alabama's HAI Rules and Regulations at this time. Refer to the following ADPH document:

• SSI Reporting Algorithm

To help combat SSIs in the healthcare setting, the HAI program collaborated with the CDC to develop prevention material for use by healthcare providers.

• What to Expect: Surgery, Protecting yourself from infection (1.8 MB)
• Preventing and Reporting SSI, Checklist for providers to reduce the risk of SSI (1.2 MB)