ACOI Surgical Site Infections Management Academy (ACOISSIMA) Recommendations on the prevention of surgical site infections

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the most common cause of healthcare-associated infections in surgical patients. Many SSIs may be preventable if simple measures are respected. Despite evidence supporting the effectiveness of evidence-based practices in Infection Prevention and Control, many surgeons fail to implement them. Methods: To clarify the key issues in the prevention of SSIs, an expert panel designated by the board of directors of Associazione Chirurghi Ospedalieri Italiani-Italian Surgical Association (ACOI) convened in Rome, Italy, on 16 December 2021, for a consensus conference. Results: The expert panel approved 11 evidence-based statements regarding the prevention of SSIs. A article was drafted and reviewed by the expert panel, finally obtaining this document that represents the executive summary of the consensus. Conclusions: The document aims to disseminate best practices among Italian surgeons and summarizes the ACOI recommendations for the prevention of SSIs.