WHAT IS PREVENTION OF PERIOPERATIVE INFEC TION - A SURVEY WITH REGARDTO TRAUMA SURGERY

The prevention of perioperative infection requires an interplay of tec hnical equipment, good surgical technique and proper attention to hygi ene. The basis for this is a well-structured and well-organized depart ment using well-known, generally practised routine procedures and soli d, realistic time planning. The most important technique for supervisi ng and optimizing behaviour (with regard to both operative technique a nd hygiene) is the example of ''being there'' (''inter-esse''). In thi s way, mistakes regarding details are noticed immediately. Moreover, t he best form of quality control is a long-term, honest survey of infec tion statistics that is managed by one responsible person only. Above all, the infection statistics should detect factors predisposing to in fection that can be modified by everyday staff attention. The protecti on of staff against infection is equally as important as the protectio n of patients. The question of whether routine perioperative antibioti c prophylaxis or treatment in trauma surgery is useful under the prese nt conditions has not yet been answered.