Surgical Site Infection (SSI)
A Surgical Site Infection is an infection occurring at or near the operative site within a defined window after surgery. It is a closely tracked quality measure, and reducing SSIs is central to patient safety and outcome reporting.
What is a Surgical Site Infection (SSI)?
A Surgical Site Infection (SSI) is an infection that develops at or near the location where a surgical procedure was performed, within a defined period after the operation. Depending on depth, an SSI can be superficial in the skin, deeper in tissue and muscle, or involve an organ or implanted space.
SSIs are identified using standardized surveillance criteria so they can be measured consistently across facilities. They are among the most common and preventable complications of surgery.
Why is reducing SSIs important?
Surgical Site Infections harm patients, prolong recovery, and can lead to readmissions, reoperations, and added cost. Because they are largely preventable, SSI rates are a closely watched quality measure and a reflection of how well a facility manages sterilization, technique, and perioperative protocols.
For an ambulatory surgery center, low infection rates are essential to accreditation, payer confidence, and reputation, since serious complications undermine the value proposition of same-day surgery. Tracking and reporting SSIs supports outcome transparency and continuous improvement.
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