====== 🛡️ Postoperative Surgical Site Infection (SSI) Prevention ======

Postoperative care plays a crucial role in preventing **[[surgical site infection]]s (SSIs)**. Early detection, wound management, and patient education are key components of effective SSI prevention after surgery.

===== 🎯 Objectives =====
  * Promote optimal **wound healing**
  * Prevent microbial contamination of the incision site
  * Detect early signs of infection

===== 🏥 Key Postoperative Measures =====

==== 🧽 1. Wound Care ====
  * Keep wound **clean, dry, and covered** for at least 24–48 hours
  * Use **aseptic technique** for dressing changes
  * Avoid topical antibiotics unless specifically indicated

==== 🧪 2. Monitoring for Signs of Infection ====
  * Monitor for:
    - **Redness, swelling, warmth**
    - **Purulent discharge**
    - **Fever** or systemic symptoms
  * Use **standardized wound surveillance protocols**

==== 💊 3. Antibiotic Stewardship ====
  * **Do not prolong** prophylactic antibiotics beyond 24 hours post-surgery (unless justified)
  * Reserve therapeutic antibiotics for **documented infections**

==== 🚷 4. Drain and Catheter Management ====
  * Remove surgical drains and urinary catheters as **early as possible**
  * Ensure **closed drainage systems** remain sealed and secure

==== 🧼 5. Patient Hygiene and Education ====
  * Instruct patient on:
    - **Hand hygiene** before touching wound
    - Signs of infection and when to seek help
  * Educate about **avoiding self-removal** of dressings or stitches

==== 🧠 6. Special Considerations in Neurosurgery ====
  * Observe for **CSF leakage**, which increases SSI risk
  * Avoid tension or manipulation over craniotomy/spinal wounds
  * Ensure follow-up for **wound inspection and imaging** (if required)

===== 🧾 Documentation and Follow-up =====
  * Record wound status in clinical notes
  * Schedule dressing changes and suture/staple removal
  * Include SSI surveillance in quality control programs

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{{tag:infection_prevention postoperative SSI wound_care patient_education neurosurgery}}