title: Awareness of surgical site infections for advanced practice nurses.
abstract: A primary concern in healthcare today is the prevention of infection. Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the leading type of infection among hospitalized patients. Advanced practice nurses play a vital role in patient care, and those who incorporate best practice standards can reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with SSIs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have published recommendations for prevention of SSIs. This article reviews current literature regarding the prevention of SSIs and how critical care practitioners can incorporate these scientifically tested recommendations into their practice.
authors.affiliation: University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore 21201, USA. jselzer@umm.edu
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Seltzer
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McGrow
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Horsman
authors.forename: Denise M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Korniewicz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D008297:Male; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D009732:Nursing Care; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000451:nursing*