WHO Recommends 29 Measures to Prevent Surgical Infections

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued 29 recommendations aimed at preventing surgical site infections and combating the growing threat of antibiotic resistance. The guidelines emphasize patient preparation before surgery, including showering or bathing, and advise against shaving prior to the procedure.

A key recommendation is that antibiotics should be used only before and during surgery for infection prevention, not after the operation. This measure is considered crucial in slowing the spread of antibiotic resistance, a global challenge to modern medicine.

The recommendations are based on a review of the latest evidence by 20 leading experts. They cover a wide range of measures, from hygiene practices like handwashing for surgical teams to guidance on antiseptic use and suture selection. WHO states that surgical site infections endanger millions of patients annually and impose significant additional costs on healthcare systems.

WHO highlights that surgical site infections lead to longer hospital stays and increased healthcare expenses, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In the United States, these infections reportedly incur hundreds of millions of dollars in extra costs each year. The new international guidelines are designed for universal application and complement WHO's existing Surgical Safety Checklist by offering more detailed infection prevention advice.