The Cut that Counts: Surgical Site Infection Prevention Gets a Sharp Update.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) remain the most prevalent and costly health care-associated infection, with rates that have plateaued or increased despite improvements in other infection metrics. This article reviews and synthesizes the 2022 Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America updated guidelines for SSI prevention, highlighting newly designated essential practices and re-evaluated strategies based on an expanded evidence base. Key updates include the elevation of targeted preoperative decolonization, combined oral and parenteral antibiotic prophylaxis for elective colorectal surgery, vaginal antiseptic preparation before cesarean delivery and hysterectomy, intraoperative antiseptic wound lavage, standardized bundles and checklists, and refined postoperative glucose control targets.