COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TREATMENT OF SURGICAL SITE INFECTION AMONG SOLID ORGAN TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS: A SCOPING REVIEW.

Background: There is a notable lack of research addressing the occurrence of surgical site infection (SSI) among solid organ transplant recipients and the related economic burden.

Aim: To map the available evidence regarding the direct costs associated with the treatment of SSI among adult solid organ transplant recipients.

Method: This is a scoping review conducted in accordance with the guidelines issued by the JBI.

Exploratory study of patients' and carers' preferences for postdischarge surgical wound monitoring using survey and interviews.

Objectives: To explore patients' and carers' preferences for postdischarge surgical wound monitoring.

Design: Explanatory mixed methods study with an online survey followed by online interviews.

Setting: The online survey was distributed via the Cardiothoracic Interdisciplinary Research Network and cardiac surgery patient and public involvement groups in London and Leicester, UK.

Wound imaging software and digital platform to assist review of surgical wounds using patient smartphones: The development and evaluation of artificial intelligence (WISDOM AI study).

Introduction: Surgical patients frequently experience post-operative complications at home. Digital remote monitoring of surgical wounds via image-based systems has emerged as a promising solution for early detection and intervention. However, the increased clinician workload from reviewing patient-submitted images presents a challenge.

Digital wound monitoring with artificial intelligence to prioritise surgical wounds in cardiac surgery patients for priority or standard review: protocol for a randomised feasibility trial (WISDOM).

Introduction: Digital surgical wound monitoring for patients at home is becoming an increasingly common method of wound follow-up. This regular monitoring improves patient outcomes by detecting wound complications early and enabling treatment to start before complications worsen. However, reviewing the digital data creates a new and additional workload for staff.

Digital tools for post-discharge surveillance of surgical site infection.

Aims: Conduct a scoping review on the development and use of digital tools for post-discharge surgical site infection surveillance.

Design: Scoping review.

Data Sources: Science Direct, PubMed, Embase, Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature were searched from 2013 to May 2022.

Effects of Intensive Blood Glucose Control on Surgical Site Infection for Liver Transplant Recipients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The evidence supporting intensive blood glucose control to prevent surgical site infections (SSIs) among liver transplant recipients is insufficient. We aimed to assess the effects of postoperative intensive blood glucose control (IBGC) against standard blood glucose control (SBGC) on the incidence of SSIs among adult liver transplant recipients.

Methods: We performed a randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.

Preoperative hair removal to reduce surgical site infection.

Background: Hair has traditionally been removed from the surgical site before surgery; however, some studies claim that this increases surgical site infections (SSIs) and should be avoided. This is the second update of a review published in 2006 and first updated in 2011.

Objectives: To determine whether routine preoperative hair removal (compared with no removal) and the method, timing, or setting of hair removal effect SSI rates.

Using a comprehensive audit to identify local context prior to care bundle design and implementation for inadvertent perioperative hypothermia in colorectal surgery.

Background: The first step in bundle design or implementation is to identify the problem being addressed. Several validated approaches are recommended to facilitate this. These include using systematic reviews, adverse event triggers and risk assessment tools.

Perioperative intensive glycemic control for liver transplant recipients to prevent surgical site infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) are common among liver transplant recipients and result in adverse patient outcomes. Standard glycemic control is effective in reducing SSIs. Some studies suggest intensive glycemic control reduces the risk of SSI further.

Post-discharge surveillance of surgical site infections in teaching hospitals in Brazil.

Objective: Understanding the reality of surgical site infections post-discharge surveillance in Brazilian teaching hospitals.

Method: A cross-sectional study conducted by sending an online questionnaire to nurses from the Hospital Infection Control Committee of Brazilian teaching hospitals registered in the National Registry of Health Establishments.

Results: Of the 193 teaching hospitals in Brazil, eight declined to take part as they did not conduct post-discharge surveillance and 36 did not respond.

A perpetual switching system in pulmonary capillaries.

Of the 300 billion capillaries in the human lung, a small fraction meet normal oxygen requirements at rest, with the remainder forming a large reserve. The maximum oxygen demands of the acute stress response require that the reserve capillaries are rapidly recruited. To remain primed for emergencies, the normal cardiac output must be parceled throughout the capillary bed to maintain low opening pressures.

Effects and safety of atmospheric low-temperature plasma on bacterial reduction in chronic wounds and wound size reduction: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The use of atmospheric low-temperature plasma (AP) on chronic wounds and its effect on microbial bioburden in open wounds has not been explored with a systematic review and meta-analysis. PRISMA guidelines were followed and PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, and CINAHL databases searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs), which compared AP with no AP for the management of open, chronic wounds. The primary outcomes of reduction of bioburden or wound size were included.

Perioperative hair removal in the 21st century: Utilizing an innovative vacuum-assisted technology to safely expedite hair removal before surgery.

Background: Perioperative hair removal using clippers requires lengthy cleanup to remove loose hairs contaminating the operative field. We compared the amount of hair debris and associated microbiologic contamination produced during clipping of surgical sites using standard surgical clippers (SSC) or clippers fitted with a vacuum-assisted hair collection device (SCVAD).

Methods: Trained nurses conducted bilateral hair clipping of the chest and groin of 18 male subjects using SSC or SCVAD.

Antibiotics and antiseptics for pressure ulcers.

Background: Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores, decubitus ulcers and pressure injuries, are localised areas of injury to the skin or the underlying tissue, or both. A range of treatments with antimicrobial properties, including impregnated dressings, are widely used in the treatment of pressure ulcers. A clear and current overview is required to facilitate decision making regarding use of antiseptic or antibiotic therapies in the treatment of pressure ulcers.

Surgical hand antisepsis to reduce surgical site infection.

Background: Medical professionals routinely carry out surgical hand antisepsis before undertaking invasive procedures to destroy transient micro-organisms and inhibit the growth of resident micro-organisms. Antisepsis may reduce the risk of surgical site infections (SSIs) in patients.

Objectives: To assess the effects of surgical hand antisepsis on preventing surgical site infections (SSIs) in patients treated in any setting.

Do surgical care bundles reduce the risk of surgical site infections in patients undergoing colorectal surgery? A systematic review and cohort meta-analysis of 8,515 patients.

Background: Care bundles are a strategy that can be used to reduce the risk of surgical site infection (SSI), but individual studies of care bundles report conflicting outcomes. This study assesses the effectiveness of care bundles to reduce SSI among patients undergoing colorectal surgery.

Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, and cohort studies of care bundles to reduce SSI.

Successful partnerships with third sector organisations to enhance the healthcare student experience: a partnership evaluation.

There is limited research surrounding academic partnerships and more research is needed to educate universities, and the private, public and third sectors about the benefits and limitations of such partnerships. The aim of this study was to outline the unique partnership between Macmillan Cancer Support and De Montfort University and to evaluate the progress of this partnership. A qualitative approach was employed which involved interviews with nine members of the partnership's steering group.

'This wound has spoilt everything': emotional capital and the experience of surgical site infections.

In this article we explore the experience of suffering from a surgical site infection, a common complication of surgery affecting around 5 per cent of surgical patients, via an interview study of 17 patients in the Midlands in the UK. Despite their prevalence, the experience of surgical site infections has received little attention so far. In spite of the impairment resulting from these iatrogenic problems, participants expressed considerable stoicism and we interpret this via the notion of emotional capital.

Trimodal therapy for stage III-N2 non-small-cell lung carcinoma: a single center retrospective analysis.

Background: Treatment of locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer is based on a combined approach. To study the impact of trimodal therapy for stage III-N2 NSCLC a single centre retrospective evaluation focusing on survival and therapy-related toxicity was performed.

Methods: 71 patients diagnosed between March 2001 and August 2008 with pathologically confirmed stage III-N2 non-small-cell lung cancer at the University Clinic of Heidelberg were retrospectively analyzed.

Surgical site infection: poor compliance with guidelines and care bundles.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are probably the most preventable of the health care-associated infections. Despite the widespread international introduction of level I evidence-based guidelines for the prevention of SSIs, such as that of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the UK and the surgical care improvement project (SCIP) of the USA, SSI rates have not measurably fallen. The care bundle approach is an accepted method of packaging best, evidence-based measures into routine care for all patients and, common to many guidelines for the prevention of SSI, includes methods for preoperative removal of hair (where appropriate), rational antibiotic prophylaxis, avoidance of perioperative hypothermia, management of perioperative blood glucose and effective skin preparation.

Methods of skin antisepsis for preventing SSIs.

Surgical site infections increase morbidity and mortality rates and raise costs to healthcare providers. Surgical skin antisepsis is one element in a bundle of interventions designed to prevent SSIs. This article summarises the most recent evidence and guidance on skin antisepsis.

A fresh look at preoperative body washing.

National guidelines do not support preoperative body washing to reduce surgical site infections, instead recommending bathing or showering with soap. Yet preoperative body washing continues to be widely used in many hospitals across Europe. This paper suggests that existing trials of preoperative body washing, upon which guidelines are based, are dated and proposes a new investigation of preoperative body washing using modern definitions of surgical site infection with standardised patient follow up, modern surgical techniques and well designed trials.

Health, lifestyle, belief and knowledge differences between two ethnic groups with specific reference to tobacco, diet and physical activity.

Aims:   To compare physical activity levels, body mass index, habitual diet, tobacco use and prevalence of non-communicable disease between the two ethnic groups and to identify predictors for differences between groups.

Background:   Tobacco use, poor diet and physical inactivity are major lifestyle risk factors for chronic cardiovascular diseases, certain cancers, diabetes and chronic lung diseases. There are higher risk and incidence of these diseases in some ethnic groups, for example Asians have higher incidence of diabetes.