SURGICAL SITE INFECTION

Why is it So Hard to Manage?

FDA – The State of Orthopedic
Device-Related Infections Today

“First of all, once a biofilm forms there is currently NOTHING out there that will eliminate it, other than surgically removing it.”

David W. Lowenberg, MD
Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery 
Stanford University School of Medicine

“Continuing to use the same open fracture care tactics we’ve employed for the last 25 years is unlikely to result in different outcomes over the next 25 years. It’s time to change things up”

Michael J. Bosse, MD
Emeritus Professor
Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute

“First of all, once a biofilm forms there is currently NOTHING out there that will eliminate it, other than surgically removing it.”

David W. Lowenberg, MD
Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery Stanford University School of Medicine

“Continuing to use the same open fracture care tactics we’ve employed for the last 25 years is unlikely to result in different outcomes over the next 25 years. It’s time to change things up”

Michael J. Bosse, MD
Emeritus Professor
Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute

CAUSES OF INFECTION

PLANKTONIC vs BIOFILM

What are Planktonic Bacteria?

What are Planktonic Bacteria?

  • Individual bacteria.
  • Float in a liquid medium like blood.
  • Metabolically active.
  • More susceptible to antibiotics.
  • Readily controlled by host immune cells.
What are Bacterial Biofilms?

What are Bacterial Biofilms?

  • Communities of bacteria.
  • Primarily attach to solid surfaces.
  • Metabolically inactive
  • High tolerance to antibiotics.
  • Can cause recurring infections.
What are Planktonic Bacteria?

What are Planktonic Bacteria?

  • Individual bacteria.
  • Float in a liquid medium like blood.
  • Metabolically active.
  • More susceptible to antibiotics.
  • Readily controlled by host immune cells.
What are Bacterial Biofilms?

What are Bacterial Biofilms?

  • Communities of bacteria.
  • Primarily attach to solid surfaces.
  • Metabolically inactive.
  • High tolerance to antibiotics.
  • Can cause recurring infections.
What are Planktonic Bacteria?

What are Planktonic Bacteria?

  • Individual bacteria.
  • Float in a liquid medium like blood.
  • Metabolically active.
  • More susceptible to antibiotics.
  • Readily controlled by host immune cells.
What are Bacterial Biofilms?

What are Bacterial Biofilms?

  • Communities of bacteria.
  • Primarily attach to solid surfaces.
  • Metabolically inactive.
  • High tolerance to antibiotics.
  • Can cause recurring infections.

Surgical Site Infection Annual cost to the U.S. healthcare system up to 

$10 BILLION

Surgical Site Infection Annual cost to the U.S. healthcare system up to

$10 BILLION

Surgical Site Infection Annual cost to the
U.S. healthcare system up to

$10 BILLION

Surgical Site Infection – By the Numbers in U.S.

Surgical Site
Infection – By the
Numbers in U.S.

Number of U.S. patients
affected by SSI annually.
0 K
Average number of days
in hospital due to SSI.
0
Number of U.S. patients
that die from SSI annually.
0 K
Number of U.S.
patients affected
by SSI annually.
0 K
Average number of
days in hospital
due to SSI.
0
Number of U.S.
patients that die
from SSI annually.
0 K
Cause of healthcare
acquired infections.
# 0
Cause of hospital
readmissions after surgery.
# 0
Number of U.S. patients
affected by SSI annually.
0 K
Average number of days
in hospital due to SSI.
0
Number of U.S. patients
that die from SSI annually.
0 K
Cause of healthcare
acquired infections.
# 0
Cause of hospital
readmissions after surgery.
# 0

The Problem