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A R T H R O S C O P Y
2. Scope the right site
possible adverse outcomes. The sur-
Arthroscopy is, for the most part, a
gery may be minimally invasive, but it's
very safe procedure. What risks there
still enough of an opening for bacteria
are in the surgery exist largely outside
residing on the skin to enter the inci-
of the joint being explored and operat-
sion and potentially cause an infection
ed on, and are commonly a function
that does damage to the nerves, blood
of perioperative technique and patient
vessels or the joint itself. That would
outcome. In short, don't overlook the
be a disastrous outcome.
Thankfully, incidents of surgical site
basics, such as confirming that the
surgeon is looking into the correct
infection following arthroscopy are
joint. Preventing wrong-site surgery is
rare, particularly when perioperative
a huge concern in any case, but espe-
staffers vigilantly uphold prevention
cially in orthopedic procedures, given
standards. The key practices should
the bilateral symmetry of its most fre-
be second nature to your OR person-
quently targeted sites. The American
nel. Routinely administering antibi-
Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons'
otics within an hour before the inci-
"Sign Your Site" campaign
sion, for example, has been shown to
(tinyurl.com/qe6ztxj), which has pro-
reduce the incidence rate of post-op
moted standards of site marking and
SSIs. Conversely, studies have shown
verification during pre-incision time
no consistent anti-SSI benefit from
outs, has resulted in a decrease in
administering them afterwards.
Disinfecting the skin with a topical
such errors. Heed the campaign's
warning, and don't let them happen in
bactericidal preparation before inci-
your ORs.
sion is also critical. Review and monitor your facility's reprocessing prac-
3. Prevent infection
tices to ensure the sterility of the
Surgical site infection is quite possibly
instruments used for arthroscopic pro-
the leading risk patients face during
cedures and, with the assistance of
arthroscopy, and also one of the worst
your surgeons, track infection rates
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O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E | A U G U S T 2013
