Systematic Review of Surgical Site Infections in Cardiac and Orthopaedic Surgery

A report from the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (commissioned by the Health Quality & Safety Commission) containing a systematic review and meta-analysis of the published literature on interventions aimed at reducing SSIs caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Pre-theatre skin and nasal decolonisation for both cardiac and orthopaedic surgical patients were the two specific interventions analysed in this review. This work has formed the foundation for an anti-staphylococcal bundle the Commission is currently evaluating for the SSII programme.