SINGAPORE
Ethicon,* part of the Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies,** brought together a consortium of international experts to discuss surgical site infection (SSI) prevention across Asia Pacific at the first-ever Care+ Masters Symposium. SSIs can be a serious complication of surgery and are becoming the most common healthcare-associated infection (HAI), contributing to rising morbidity and mortality rates among affected patients. [2-3] The meeting, held at the company’s offices in Singapore, provided delegates with an invaluable opportunity to learn how they can implement SSI prevention guidelines and surveillance methods across Asia Pacific.
Speaking at the event, Dr Liau Kiu Hin, Medical Director & Senior Consultant Surgeon, Mt Elizabeth Novena Hospital & Specialist Centre, commented: “Surgical site infections are preventable and avoidable. Achieving zero SSI rates for every clean operation should be the goal for all surgeons. Appropriate postoperative wound management is important to mitigate and eliminate the risk of infections.”
He further commented, “I strongly advocate our healthcare institutions and communities to adopt evidence-based practices, such as appropriate and timely use of prophylactic anti-microbial, and capitalise on the use of innovative technologies, including advanced wound management devices and antimicrobial-coated sutures. Surgeons and healthcare workers must be aware that we are in the best position to prevent and reduce any opportunities for life-threatening infections to set in for clean operations. We can make a difference in our patients’ outcomes.”
Globally, health authorities recognize the severity of the SSI issue.[4] In Asia Pacific, the consequences are significant with the SSI mortality rate reaching up to 46% in some countries.[5] SSI-associated costs can also accumulate to millions of dollars for health care systems across the region and increase a patient’s hospital stay by 20 or more days.[6] In 2016, the World Health Organization issued global guidelines on SSI prevention, in which they suggest the use of triclosan-coated sutures in all types of surgery to reduce the incidence of SSIs.[7] These recommendations have received further support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.[8]
Ethicon is the maker of Plus Antibacterial Sutures, which are triclosan-coated and available globally. These sutures inhibit the colonization of bacteria commonly associated with SSIs on the suture.[9-[10][11][12] Ethicon offers a comprehensive range of triclosan-coated absorbable sutures both in knotless and traditional variations. By using a bundled surgical approach that includes Plus Antibacterial Sutures, infections are reduced by 28%.[13] Most recently, countries including China, Japan, India, Australia and the Philippines have recommended Plus Antibacterial Sutures in their national infection control guidelines.
“We can live in a world where surgical site infections are no longer burdening patients with unnecessary pain, and healthcare systems with unnecessary costs,” said Iain Hamilton, Vice President, Ethicon, Asia Pacific. “This Symposium represents our commitment towards advancing SSI prevention – particularly in Asia Pacific where the prevalence is high. I am confident that, together with the healthcare community, we can reduce the burden of SSIs and improve outcomes for patients in this region and across the world.”
Ethicon is encouraging healthcare practitioners to pledge their support in eradicating issues related to SSIs in Asia Pacific through #EthiconCarePlus.
About Ethicon
Ethicon, part of the Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies, has made significant contributions to surgery for more than 60 years from creating the first sutures, to revolutionizing surgery with minimally invasive procedures. Our continuing dedication to Shape the Future of Surgery is built on our commitment to help address the world’s most pressing health care issues and improve and save more lives. Through Ethicon’s surgical technologies and solutions including sutures, staplers, energy devices, trocars and hemostats and our commitment to treat serious medical conditions like obesity and cancer worldwide, we deliver innovation to make a life-changing impact. For more information, visit www.ethicon.com.
About Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies
As the world’s most comprehensive medical devices business, we are building on a century of experience, merging science and technology, to shape the future of health and benefit even more people around the world. With our unparalleled breadth, depth and reach across surgery, orthopaedics, vision and interventional solutions, we’re working to profoundly change the way care is delivered. We are in this for life.
*Ethicon represents the products and services of Ethicon, Inc., Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC and certain of their affiliates.
**The Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies comprise the surgery, orthopaedics, and cardiovascular businesses within Johnson & Johnson’s Medical Devices segment.
1World Health Organization Global Guidelines for the Prevention of Surgical Site Infection. Available at http://www.who.int/gpsc/ssi-guidelines/en. Accessed June 2017
2Agodi A, et al. Risk of surgical site infection in older patients in a cohort survey: targets for quality improvements in antibiotic prophylaxis. Int Surg 2015;100:473–9.]
3 Crolla RM, et al. Reduction of surgical site infections after implementation of a bundle of care. PLoS ONE 2012;7:e44599.]
4 (18.8%) http://apsic-apac.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/APSIC-SSI-Prevention-guideline-Feb-2019.pdf
5 Moi Lin Ling et al. The Burden of Healthcare-Associated Infections in Southeast Asia: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-analysis. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 1 June 2015.
6 Moi Lin Ling et al. The Burden of Healthcare-Associated Infections in Southeast Asia: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-analysis. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 1 June 2015.
Lee, Kil Yeon et al. “The epidemiology and cost of surgical site infections in Korea: a systematic review.” Journal of the Korean Surgical Society. Vol. 81,5 (2011): 295-307.
Desai et al. Use of Triclosan-Coated Sutures Led to Cost Savings in Public and Private Settings in India Across Five Surgical Categories: An Economic Model Assessment.
7 World Health Organization Global Guidelines for the Prevention of Surgical Site Infection. Available athttp://www.who.int/gpsc/ssi-guidelines/en. Accessed June 2017
8 CDC Infection Prevention & Control Guidelines & Recommendations. Available at http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/fullarticle/2623725. Accessed June 2017
9 Storch ML, Rothenburger SJ, Jacinto G. Experimental efficacy study of Coated VICRYLTM Plus Antibacterial Suture in guinea pigs challenged with Staphylococcus aureus. Surg Infect (Larchmt). 2004;5(3):281-288.]
10 Rothenburger S, Spangler D, Bhende S, Burkely D. In vitro antibacterial evaluation of Coated VICRYLTM Plus Antibacterial Suture (coated polyglactin 910 with triclosan) using zone of inhibition assays. Surg Infect (Larchmt). 2002;3(Suppl 1):S79-S87.]
11 Ming X, Rothenburger S, Yang D. In vitro antibacterial efficacy of MONOCRYLTM Plus Antibacterial Suture (poliglecaprone 25 with triclosan). Surg Infect (Larchmt). 2007;8(2):201-207.]
12 Ming X, Rothenburger S, Nichols M. In vivo and in vitro antibacterial efficacy of PDSTM Plus (polidioxanone with triclosan) Suture. Surg Infect (Larchmt). 2008;9(4):451-457.]
13 Br J Surg. 2017 Jan;104(2):e118-e133. doi: 10.1002/bjs.10445. Epub 2017 Jan 17.
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