New publications
Prevention of postoperative infections
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
WHO has developed a new series of recommendations that will help save the lives of patients after surgical interventions, as well as reduce the costs of hospitalization and reduce the alarming rate of spread of antibacterial resistance in the world. The new recommendations contain 29 points, which were developed by 2 dozen world experts, basing their conclusions on the latest scientific research.
Experts said that during preparation for surgery, the patient should take a shower (bath), not use shaving accessories, doctors, in turn, should prescribe antibacterial drugs only before and during surgery, but not after. The need to issue a new guide is caused by the acute problem of hospital infections, which affect not only patients and their loved ones, but also health care systems.
The Assistant Director-General of WHO noted in her speech that it is unacceptable that after visiting a doctor, a patient gets a more serious disease. Prevention of infections after surgical interventions is extremely important, but this process requires a comprehensive approach.
An infection in the patient's body begins to develop after bacteria enter the body through the cuts made. Every year, such infections threaten the lives of millions of patients, and this also contributes to the development of antibacterial resistance. According to statistics, 11% of patients who have undergone certain operations become infected with various infectious diseases (mainly in countries with an average or low standard of living). In African countries, 20% of women who have had a cesarean section develop a wound infection. But infections after surgery are a problem not only for poor countries; in the United States, 400 thousand people are forced to spend several additional days in hospital because of this, which increases the cost of their maintenance in the hospital.
In the new recommendations, specialists described actions in the period before surgery and preventive measures during and after surgery. The guide contains a fairly wide range of actions: from the simplest precautions (bathing before surgery, hygiene by surgeons and assistants, etc.) to recommendations on when to use antibiotics to prevent infection, what antibiotics, antiseptics, suture materials, etc. to use.
None of us are immune from surgery, and infection on the operating table threatens everyone, regardless of social status, income level, gender, etc. The new recommendations will help doctors minimize the risk of developing infections, improve the quality of patient care, and reduce the spread of antibacterial resistance. WHO specialists noted that every patient should ask their surgeon before surgery whether they follow the new recommendations.
It is worth noting that the new recommendations are the first to be evidence-based, and that there are some inconsistencies between the evidence and the recommended actions in existing guidelines.
The new version was compiled taking into account the available scientific data, the expected monetary and other costs of implementing the recommendations in medical institutions, and the interests of patients.
The WHO noted that today the main task is to stop the spread of antibacterial resistance and the key point in the new recommendations is the use of antibiotics only before and during surgery. Often, such drugs are prescribed after surgery, which, according to experts, is absolutely not necessary. According to selective studies conducted in Africa, the new recommendations will reduce the number of cases of postoperative infections by almost 40%. WHO is currently preparing instructions for the introduction of new recommendations in practice.
Prevention of postoperative infections
WHO has developed a new series of recommendations that will help save the lives of patients after surgical interventions, as well as reduce the costs of hospitalization and reduce the alarming rate of spread of antibacterial resistance in the world. The new recommendations contain 29 points, which were developed by 2 dozen world experts, basing their conclusions on the latest scientific research.
Experts said that during preparation for surgery, the patient should take a shower (bath), not use shaving accessories, doctors, in turn, should prescribe antibacterial drugs only before and during surgery, but not after. The need to issue a new guide is caused by the acute problem of hospital infections, which affect not only patients and their loved ones, but also health care systems.
The Assistant Director-General of WHO noted in her speech that it is unacceptable that after visiting a doctor, a patient gets a more serious disease. Prevention of infections after surgical interventions is extremely important, but this process requires a comprehensive approach.
An infection in the patient's body begins to develop after bacteria enter the body through the cuts made. Every year, such infections threaten the lives of millions of patients, and this also contributes to the development of antibacterial resistance. According to statistics, 11% of patients who have undergone certain operations become infected with various infectious diseases (mainly in countries with an average or low standard of living). In African countries, 20% of women who have had a cesarean section develop a wound infection. But infections after surgery are a problem not only for poor countries; in the United States, 400,000 people are forced to spend several additional days in hospital because of this, which increases the cost of their maintenance in the hospital.
In the new recommendations, specialists described actions in the period before surgery and preventive measures during and after surgery. The guide contains a fairly wide range of actions: from the simplest precautions (bathing before surgery, hygiene by surgeons and assistants, etc.) to recommendations on when to use antibiotics to prevent infection, what antibiotics, antiseptics, suture materials, etc. to use.
None of us are immune from surgery, and infection on the operating table threatens everyone, regardless of social status, income level, gender, etc. The new recommendations will help doctors minimize the risk of developing infections, improve the quality of patient care, and reduce the spread of antibacterial resistance. WHO specialists noted that every patient should ask their surgeon before surgery whether they follow the new recommendations.
It is worth noting that the new recommendations are the first to be evidence-based, and that there are some inconsistencies between the evidence and the recommended actions in existing guidelines.
The new version was compiled taking into account the available scientific data, the expected monetary and other costs of implementing the recommendations in medical institutions, and the interests of patients.
The WHO noted that today the main task is to stop the spread of antibacterial resistance and the key point in the new recommendations is the use of antibiotics only before and during surgery. Often, such drugs are prescribed after surgery, which, according to experts, is absolutely not necessary. According to selective studies conducted in Africa, the new recommendations will reduce the number of cases of postoperative infections by almost 40%. WHO is currently preparing instructions for the introduction of new recommendations in practice.