4 8 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • A U G U S T 2 0 1 8
D
espite
antibi-
otics and
preven-
tive treat-
ments, roughly 1 in 100
patients undergoing hip
or knee replacement may
develop an infection in
the wound or deep
around their artificial
implants. It's thought that
some of the particles
above the sterile field are
bacteria that contaminate
the incision or the metal
or plastic implants,
reproduce and cause an
infection. Patients with
infected joint replace-
ments often require sur-
gery to kill the infection.
"You're starting from behind the eight ball when it comes to prevent-
ing infections," says Annette Yerkes, BSN, RN, CNOR, a nurse manag-
er at Einstein Medical Center Elkins Park (Pa.), where 5 years ago the
infection rate among Einstein's joint replacement patients was 2.8%,
more than 3 times as high as facilities across Pennsylvania. A team
Daniel Cook | Executive Editor
Infection-Free Joint Replacements
7 ways to prevent SSIs from developing in incisions and implants.
• ON COURSE Administering the right amount of the right antibiotic at the right time is key to preventing infections.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN,
CNOR