Review of Literature on Surgical Site Infections

Running head: REVIEW OF LITERATURE ON SURGICAL SITE INFECTIONS
Review of Literature on Surgical Site Infections
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REVIEW OF LITERATURE ON SURGICAL SITE INFECTIONS 1
Review of Literature on Surgical Site Infections
Introduction
Hospital-acquired surgical site infections (SSIs) have emerged to be issues of concern in
delivery of quality healthcare services. Recent studies have found that SSIs are the major causes
of prolonged stay in hospitals after surgery. Other additional adverse impacts of SSIs are
financial costs and increased mortality rates in women undergoing caesarian delivery. Stanic,
Bojanic, Grubor, Mijovic, and Maric (2017) define surgical site infection as an infection that
occurs on the part of the body where surgery had been done. In spite of technological
developments, cases of SSIs are still prevalence in many hospitals and have adverse effect on the
patients. Different scholars have documented research work on SSI with the goal of determining
the causes, treatment, and possible interventions that could help reduce the impact of SSI on
patients. This paper reviews twelve of research published literature on SSIs to establish the
current understanding on the topic.
Research Design
Badia et al. (2017) conducted a systematic review of literature on the impact of SSIs on
quality of life and financial costs. The researchers reviewed studies on SSIs published in Spain,
France, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Studies were obtained from
online databases and screened to eliminate duplication. Twenty-six studies qualified for analysis.
Evidence from the Study
Evidence from the studies indicated that SSI contributed to 36% of post-surgery complications.
The study also established prolonged stay in hospitals, increase in costs of medication, and
increase in mortality rates in hospitals where SSIs were prevalent. The researchers concluded

REVIEW OF LITERATURE ON SURGICAL SITE INFECTIONS 2
that in spite of efforts to provide sustainable and affordable healthcare, SSIs have adversely
negated the efforts put in place to address the quality of care in hospitals.
Limitations of the Study
The study focused on articles published in English alone. The selection criteria did not include
studies published in other languages, which could have affected the findings from the study.
Guidelines Provided
Badia et al. (2017) recommend renewed efforts in addressing SSIs in European countries.
Considering the impact of SSIs on the cost of healthcare and overall quality of life, there is a
need for the healthcare sector to focus on SSIs to help patients that undergo surgery.
Lessons from the Study
SSIs prolong the stay in hospitals, increase in costs of medication, and raise mortality rates in
hospitals. SSIs negate the efforts put in place to address the quality of care in hospitals.
Application to practice
The study contributes to existing literature on SSIs. Since it is evident that SSIs have
adverse impact on quality of life and financial costs, the study could help in addressing the issue
of SSI in hospitals.
Cheng, Chen, Soleas, Ferko, Cameron, and Hinoul (2017) conducted a systematic
analysis of articles on SSIs published between 2005 and 2015. The researchers reviewed studies
on SSIs published in English and retrieved from PubMed, CENTRAL, and CDSR. Seventy-six
studies qualified for analysis. A similar method was used by Martin, Kaye, Knott, Nguyen,
Santarossa, Evans, Elizabeth and Jaber (2015) where 94 studies published between 1985 and
2015 were systematically reviewed. Martin et al. (2015) found diabetes as the risk factor for
SSIs.