Surgical site infection (SSI) is a type of healthcare-associated infection (HCAI) in which a surgical incision site becomes infected after a surgical procedure. It is associated not only with increased morbidity but also with substantial mortality and places a massive clinical and financial burden on the NHS.

SSI accounts for 15.7% of all HCAI, putting it in the top three after respiratory infections and urinary tract infections. Such is its severity that The Lancet recently called SSI “the next frontier in global surgery”.

SSI also contributes to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), often referred to as a global crisis. This is because over-reliance on antibiotics contributes to the increased prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria – antibiotics should only be used when essential, in line with the UK government’s 20-year vision for antimicrobial resistance.

In addition, while antibiotic prophylaxis is effective for preventing SSI in certain procedures, its use carries a risk of adverse effects. 

The air around us is full of particles such as dust, dirt, soot, smoke and liquid droplets. Some of these particles will be bacteria-carrying, also called ‘colony forming units’ (CFUs).

Bacteriologically, the air in an operating theatre is as dirty as the air anywhere else, only it matters more because of what is happing in the space.

The microbiological contamination or bio-burden of the air in the operating room is generally considered a risk factor for SSI, even during surgery on a ‘clean’ wound.

MAT provides highly effective critical ventilation, laminar flow and decontamination solutions, designed to eliminate airborne bacteria in the operating theatre suite.  This improves surgical outcomes and reduces the need for antibiotics.