Preventing Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) & Fighting Medical Negligence

The Impact of Surgical Site Infections

Surgical site infections (SSIs) impact almost 1.7 million patients annually, nearly doubling the risk of death after surgery. One in 17 infected patients dies, taking loved ones from their families and costing the healthcare system close to $10 billion each year.

The Porter Adventist Hospital SSI Case

These SSI statistics represent real families like those affected by the Porter Adventist Hospital case. In 2019, 67 patients filed lawsuits alleging the hospital’s sterilization failures caused hundreds of infections and at least one death. Another patient faced $2 million in medical bills due to infection-related complications.

State health officials discovered that Porter allowed at least 76 contaminated surgical tools, some soiled with blood, bone fragments, and even a dead insect, into operating rooms.

Documented staff complaints about sterilization breaches were systematically dismissed by hospital administration, who cited staffing issues while continuing to jeopardize patient safety. One doctor was forced to stop surgery when he discovered a substance resembling blood on his surgical tools.

Porter warned nearly 6,000 patients in 2018 that they may have been exposed to hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or HIV, triggering an investigation and temporary suspension of surgeries. Employees reported several contamination incidents, yet the hospital continued processing surgical tools for up to 50 cases daily with inadequate staff.

In 2023, Porter agreed to a $6.5 million class-action settlement for 3,000 class members, while denying any wrongdoing.

How to Prevent Surgical Site Infections

The Porter Adventist case is a tragic reminder that SSIs stem from preventable failures in hospital leadership, training, and oversight. When hospitals cut corners on sterilization protocols or neglect essential infection control measures, patients suffer.

To hold institutions accountable, an attorney must build clear, compelling timelines that align your client’s experience with evidence of institutional or professional negligence.

While SSIs have declined in recent years, these infections still cost lives and generate billions in medical expenses. Understanding proper SSI prevention protocols is key to identifying when negligence has played a role in a client’s case.

Below, you’ll find a broad list of measures that medical professionals should be taking before, during, and after surgery to keep patients safe.

Before Surgery

Patient Nutrition Monitoring

Malnourished patients face higher infection risks. However, assessing health indicators like diet, weight, albumin levels, and blood sugar to determine vulnerability has been associated with positive outcomes.

Bacterial Colonization Screening

Joint replacement, implant, cardiothoracic, and neurosurgery patients should be tested for MRSA pre-surgery, as MRSA-positive individuals have a 30–60% higher chance of developing an SSI if not given proper prophylaxis prior to these high-risk procedures.

Timely Antibiotic Administration

Antibiotics should be given within 60 minutes of incision at the correct dosage to reduce infection risk.

Skin Preparation Protocols

Surgical sites should be cleaned with Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG) liquid soap or wipes to reduce resident microorganisms from oils, hair, and other contaminants to sub-pathogenic levels without irritating the skin.

During Surgery

Traffic Control

Unnecessary movement in and out of the operating room increases bacterial exposure. Hospitals should enforce strict access policies and all equipment should enter the room at the same time as the patient.

Sterilization Compliance

All operating attire, surgical tools, and surfaces should meet sterilization guidelines set by organizations like the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) and the American College of Surgeons (ACS).

After Surgery

Wound Protection

Surgical wounds are most susceptible to infection 48–72 hours immediately following surgery. Incisions should be protected with adhesive wound-closing products that form a strong microbial barrier.

Hand Hygiene

Healthcare providers should clean their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub prior to examining the surgical incision.

Patient Education

Medical staff have a duty to provide clear wound care instructions and educate patients about signs of infection so they know when to seek help.

How a Legal Nurse Consultant Can Help Medical Malpractice Attorneys

For attorneys handling medical malpractice cases, proving liability in surgical site infection (SSI) claims requires a meticulous review of hospital protocols and your client’s medical records.

Our legal nurse consultants can support you by:

Reviewing medical records to identify deviations from infection control standards.
Creating detailed timelines to pinpoint where and how protocols failed.
Assessing the reasonableness of medical costs against industry standards.
Determining the future medical costs for care (related to the SSI infection).
Locating expert witnesses who can validate claims of negligence.

SSIs should never result from negligence, yet cases like Porter Adventist show how systemic failures can put patients at risk.

If your client suffered an SSI, we can help you understand if and how standards were breached, so you can pursue fair and just outcomes for your client. Reach out to our team today to schedule a free consultation.

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