Evidence suggests that antimicrobial sutures can significantly reduce rates of surgical site infection and should be a key component of a care bundle to prevent SSIs. So how can we overcome potential barriers to adoption & is the extra cost worth it?
Evidence suggests that antimicrobial sutures can significantly reduce rates of surgical site infection (SSI) and should be a key component of a care bundle to prevent SSIs. So, how can we overcome potential barriers to adoption and is the extra cost worth it? New guidance, published by NICE, may help Trusts better understand their value. Louise Frampton reports.
Surgical site infections (SSIs) represent a significant economic burden for hospitals.1 Patients with an SSI are twice as likely to spend time in an intensive care unit and are five times more likely to be readmitted after discharge.2 To help tackle the issue, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued new medical technologies guidance (MTG59) recommending the use of Plus Sutures in surgeries within the National Health Service (NHS).3 Ethicon Plus Sutures, have been shown in multiple meta-analyses to reduce the risk of SSIs by nearly 30%.3
The guidance states that the adoption of the sutures could deliver an estimated average cost saving of £13.62 per patient, compared with standard sutures.3 The Plus Sutures, which offer antibacterial protection via Irgacare (purified medicalgrade triclosan), have been proven in vitro to inhibit bacterial colonisation of the suture for seven days or more.4-7
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