Surgical Site Infection Prevention: An Interdisciplinary Review for Nursing, Operating Room, Social Work, Medical Records, and Environmental Health Professionals

Abstract

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) remain among the most common healthcare-associated infections and continue to impose a significant burden on patients and healthcare systems through increased morbidity, prolonged hospitalization, higher treatment costs, and greater postoperative complications. Despite substantial advances in surgical techniques, aseptic practices, and antimicrobial therapy, SSIs remain a persistent challenge requiring coordinated multidisciplinary prevention and management. Aim: This review aimed to summarize current evidence regarding the epidemiology, classification, risk factors, prevention, early recognition, and management of surgical site infections while highlighting the collaborative roles of nursing, operating room personnel, social workers, medical records professionals, and environmental health specialists in reducing SSI incidence and improving patient outcomes. Methods: A comprehensive narrative review of contemporary evidence and international clinical guidelines was conducted. The review synthesized findings related to SSI classification, wound classification, clinical manifestations, traditional and emerging risk factors, multimodal prevention strategies, conventional treatment approaches, and recent technological innovations relevant to multidisciplinary surgical practice. Results: Surgical site infections develop through complex interactions among patient characteristics, operative factors, microbial contamination, environmental conditions, and healthcare system performance. Early identification, accurate wound classification, optimized perioperative care, timely antimicrobial prophylaxis, strict aseptic practice, environmental infection control, and standardized surgical bundles substantially reduce infection rates. Emerging technologies, including negative pressure wound therapy, antimicrobial photodynamic therapy, electrically active biodegradable sutures, and micropore particle technology, offer additional therapeutic opportunities. Effective surveillance through accurate medical documentation and multidisciplinary collaboration strengthens infection prevention and quality improvement initiatives. Conclusion: Prevention and management of SSIs require coordinated interdisciplinary practice integrating evidence based clinical care, infection prevention, environmental safety, comprehensive documentation, and patient-centered support. Continuous surveillance, standardized protocols, and collaborative healthcare delivery remain fundamental for improving surgical outcomes and enhancing patient safety.