SSI reduction: a sustainable solution

The Infection Prevention & Control conference recently provided a stark a reminder of the threat posed by antimicrobial resistance – the message from NHS England and Improvement was loud and clear: we may no longer be able to fall back on antibiotics, in the future, if resistance continues along its current path. Speaking at the event were top NHS thought leaders: the National clinical director for prescribing, Professor Tony OBE; pharmacy and prescribing clinical lead, Dr. Kieran Hand, from NHS England & NHS Improvement; and infection prevention and control improvement lead, NHS England, Esther Taborn. The discussions highlighted the importance of tackling preventable healthcare-associated infections, to preserve our armoury of antibiotics going forward. 

Throughout the event, it was clear that SSI prevention strategies will have an important role to play in reducing avoidable prescribing of antibiotics – but what exactly can be achieved and how? Furthermore, how can we reduce SSIs ‘sustainably’? 

Giles Bond Smith, a consultant HPB and emergency surgeon, at the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, sought to address some of these questions, with a valuable insight into how an eightpoint care bundle, along with the use of digital technologies, are driving significant improvement at the Trust. He opened his session with an image of a serious, deep organ space SSI – underscoring the devastating impact that SSIs can have on patients’ lives.