NOTE: This module is currently in the process of being updated and recertified, and so does not currently offer CME. A fully updated module eligible for CME is expected to be available February 2024.

J. Njeri Wainaina, MD, FACP

If you are a Program Director and would like to grant access to your trainees, please reach out to education@hospitalmedicine.org for an academic access code.

Based off the original module, Prevention and Treatment of Surgical Site Infections by Elizabeth A. Rice, MD and Thomas R. Talbot, MP, MPH.

Summary

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a major cause of postoperative illness, longer hospitalization, and increased healthcare costs, making the prevention and treatment of SSIs an important aspect of patient care for hospitalists. The following module outlines patient and procedural factors that increase the risk of SSIs, examines the basic principles of antimicrobial prophylaxis for SSI, reviews nonantibiotic interventions to lessen the risk of SSI, and outlines evaluation for and treatment of an SSI. In addition, a discussion of the controversy surrounding preoperative decolonization of Staphylococcus aureus is provided.

Goal

To provide hospitalists with best practices to optimally prevent and treat surgical site infections.

Target Audience

This activity is designed for hospitalists. No prerequisites required.

Learning Objectives

After completing the module, the participant should be able to:

1. Identify risk factors for the development of surgical site infections (SSIs).
2. Discuss the basic principles of antimicrobial prophylaxis for SSI, including drug selection, dosing and timing of administration.
3. Describe nonantibiotic interventions designed to reduce a patient’s risk of developing SSIs, including reduction of hyperglycemia, skin antisepsis and appropriate hair removal practices.
4. Evaluate the controversy surrounding preoperative decolonization of Staphylococcus aureus.
5. Develop an approach to the assessment and treatment of postoperative fever and SSI.

Accreditation Statement

The Society of Hospital Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Statement Designation

The Society of Hospital Medicine designates this activity for a maximum of 2.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)^TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Release Date: May 19, 2020                           Expiration Date: May 19, 2023

Estimated time to complete activity: 2 hours

SHM Conflict of Interest Disclosure Policy

In accordance with the ACCME Standards for Commercial Support, SHM requires that individuals in a position to control the content of an educational activity disclose all relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest. SHM mitigates all conflicts of interest to ensure independence, objectivity, balance, and scientific rigor in all its educational programs. All relevant financial relationships shall be disclosed to participants prior to the start of the activity.

Furthermore, SHM seeks to verify that all scientific research referred to, reported, or used in a continuing medical education (CME) activity conforms to the generally accepted standards of experimental design, data collection, and analysis. SHM is committed to providing its learners with high-quality CME activities that promote improvements in healthcare and not those of a commercial interest.

Instructions

The following is an interactive educational module designed to help you gauge your basic knowledge of the topic and then direct you to areas you may need to focus on. It consists of several sections: a pre-test, a study program, a post-test, & a CME evaluation. All sections must be completed to receive CME credit.