What can you do as a patient to reduce Your risk of infection?

The risk of post-operative skin infections following a surgery was found to be approximately 2% according to the Scoliosis Research Society that presented at the 24th Annual Meeting of the North American Spine Society.  Here are a few things that you can do to prevent superficial skin infection of your incision:

• Wash bed sheets prior to surgery
• Do not allow pets to sleep in bed with you
• Shower with soap daily allowing soapy water to travel over the incision
• Do not use nicotine
• Make sure that anyone assisting you or yourself wash hands before dressing the incision
• Do not use antibacterial creams
• Do not shave the area prior to surgery
• Call your surgeon if you develop a fever greater than 100.1 degrees F , develop drainage or increased redness surrounding incision

 
These are a few things you can do to reduce your risk.  If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact your healthcare provider or visit:
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007645.htm  for further information.

Shaylan Zanecki PA-C
Director of Patient Safety & Clinical Research