Findings from the Department of Outcomes
Research and Outcomes Research Consortium
Non-Pharmacologic Prevention of
Surgical Wound Infection
Release Date: April 2, 2008
Renewal Date: June 22, 2011
Expiration Date: June 22, 2012
Estimated Time of Completion: 30 minutes
Description
Wound infections are serious and relatively common postoperative complications. They are generally detected five to nine days after surgery and are usually attributed, even by surgeons, to poor surgical technique or failure to maintain sterility. However, it has been known for decades that all wounds become contaminated, often by bacteria from the skin or within the patient, and that it is host defense mechanisms that prevent most contamination from developing into clinical infections. Host defense is especially important during the initial hours following contamination, i.e., the immediate perioperative period.
Learning Objectives
- Review the incidence and pathophysiology of surgical wound infections.
- Discuss prevention strategies of surgical wound infections.
Target Audience
This activity is intended for anesthesiologists and other physicians and nurses caring for perioperative and critical-care patients.
Accreditation
The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Center for Continuing Education is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Center for Continuing Education designates this educational activity for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Participants claiming CME credit from this activity may submit the credit hours to the American Osteopathic Association Council on Continuing Medical Education for Category 2 credit.
Activity Director / Author
Daniel I. Sessler, MD
Chairman, Department of Outcomes Research
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland, Ohio
Disclosure
In accordance with the Standards for Commercial Support issued by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Center for Continuing Education requires resolution of all faculty conflicts of interest to ensure CME activities are free of commercial bias.
The following faculty has indicated he has no relationship which, in the context of his presentation, could be perceived as a potential conflict of interest:
Daniel I. Sessler, MD
This CME activity was produced by The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Center for Continuing Education and the Outcomes Research Consortium.







