This educational video explains what a Surgical Site Infection (SSI) is and how parents can help prevent them when their child is having surgery.

Surgical Site Infections (SSI)

What is a Surgical Site Infection?

A surgical site infection happens when germs, like bacteria, get into the area where a child had surgery. This can cause the wound to become red, swollen, and painful, and sometimes there might be pus or other discharge.

Your healthcare team works hard to prevent these infections by keeping everything clean and using medicines. If your child has a surgical site infection, the doctors will treat it with special medicines to help your child get better.

How to Prepare for Your Child's Surgery to Prevent a Surgical Site Infection

• Preoperative bath: Your child should have a bath before surgery. You should use a special soap with chlorhexidine, or a chlorhexidine wipe. This should be done the night before and/or the morning of the surgery.

• No razors. Don’t use a razor to remove hair. Instead, use clippers or another gentle method.

• Antibiotic timing:

  • For most antibiotics (except vancomycin and fluoroquinolones), they should be given 0 to 60 minutes before the surgery starts.

  • For vancomycin and fluoroquinolones, they should be given 0 to 120 minutes before the surgery starts.