Table 2 CDC criteria for defining surgical site infection [4]

Timing

Within 30 days of surgery

Within 30 days of surgery or 1 year if implant in place

Within 30 days of surgery or 1 year of implant in place

Location

Only skin or subcutaneous tissues of incision

Deep soft tissues (fascia, muscle) of the incision

Any area other than the incision which was opened or manipulated in surgery

Clinical aspects^a

Purulent discharge

Organisms isolated from an aseptically collected sample of fluid or tissue

One or more: pain/tenderness, localized swelling, redness, heat, and incision is deliberately opened by surgeon unless culture negative

Purulent drainage from deep incision but not organ/space

Deep incision spontaneously dehisces or is deliberately opened when patient has one or more: fever, localized pain/tenderness unless culture negative

Abscess or other evidence of infection on direct exam, during reoperative, or by histopathology or radiology

Purulent drainage from drain placed in organ/space

Organisms isolated from aseptically collected sample from organ/space

Abscess or other evidence of infection on direct exam, during reoperation or by histopathology or radiology

Diagnosis of organ/space SSI by attending clinician