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The literature suggests that 60% of the SSIs are preventable.1 Performance measures aimed at prevention of SSIs have been implemented nationally to enhance quality and mini-mize complications with respect to inpatient surgery.This course describes SSIs epidemiology, risk factors, and clinical consequences. It concludes by discussing the contribution of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) to preventing SSIs by implementing guidelines for timely and appropriate use of antibiotics, maintenance of normothermia, and appropriate hand hygiene techniques.Surgical Site InfectionSurgical site infections are the second most common healthcare-associated infection. The CDC and the National Nosocomial Infection System have established criteria for defining SSIs that are widely used by SSI-surveillance and perioperative personnel.2 An SSI is an infection related to an operative procedure that occurs at or near the surgical incision within 30 days of the proce-dure.3,4 The CDC and the National Nosocomial Infection System define SSIs by the following clinical criteria:1. A purulent exudate draining from a surgical site2. A positive culture obtained from a surgical site that was closed initially3. A surgeon’s diagnosis of infection4. A surgical site that requires reopening due to at least one of the following signs or symptoms: tenderness, swelling, redness, or heatAANA Journal Course No. 34: AANA Journal course will consist of 6 successive articles, each with an objective for the reader and sources for additional reading. This educational activity is being presented with the understanding that any conflict of interest on behalf of the planners and presenters has been reported by the author(s). Also, there is no mention of off-label use for drugs or products. Please visit AANALearn.com for the corresponding exam questions for this article.www.aana.com/aanajournalonline AANA Journal n February 2015 n Vol. 83, No. 1 63Efforts to lower the incidence of SSIs date back to the 19th century when Lister pioneered antiseptic use to prevent infection in orthopedic patients.5 It is estimated that SSIs develop in 2% to 5% of the more than 30 million patients who undergo surgical procedures, representing 14% to 16% of all hospital-acquired infections annually in the US.6