| Superficial incisional SSI | Deep incisional SSI | Organ/space SSI |
---|---|---|---|
Timing | Within 30Â days of surgery | Within 30Â days of surgery or 1Â year if implant in place | Within 30Â days of surgery or 1Â 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 aspectsa | 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 |