Prevention and treatment of surgical site infection: summary of NICE guidance

The consequences of infection at the site of surgery can be devastating to the patient and costly to manage, often requiring readmission to hospital. Surgical site infections account for 14% of all healthcare acquired infections.1 This article summarises the most recent guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) for the prevention and management of surgical site infection.2 NICE recommendations are based on systematic reviews of best available evidence. When minimal evidence is available, recommendations are based on the guideline development group’s opinion of what constitutes good practice. Evidence levels for the recommendations are given in italic in square brackets. ### Information for patients and carers Provide patients and carers with clear and consistent, easily understood information and advice throughout all stages of their care. Information should include: [ All these recommendations are based on a high quality randomised controlled trial and on the opinion of the Guideline Development Group ] ### Preoperative phase #### Showering #### Hair removal