Superficial incisional surgical site infection (SIP/SIS)

Deep incisional surgical site infection (DIP/DIS)

Organ/space surgical site infection

Time of occurrence

Within 30 days after the operative procedure

Within 30 days after the operative procedure if no implant is left in place.

Within 1 year if implant is in place

Within 30 days after the operative procedure if no implant is left in place.

Within 1 year if implant is in place

Anatomic area involved

Only skin and subcutaneous tissue of the incision

Deep soft tissues

(e.g. fascial and muscle layers) of the incision

Any part of the body that is opened or manipulated during the operative procedure (excluding skin incision, fascia or muscle layers)

Medical findings of infection

Purulent drainage from the superficial incision

Organism isolated from an aseptically obtained culture of fluid or tissue from the superficial incision

Purulent drainage from the superficial incision (but not from the organ/space component of the surgical site)

A deep incision spontaneously dehisces or is deliberately opened by surgeon and is culture-positive.

Purulent drainage from a drain that is placed through a stab wound into the organ/space

Organism isolated from an aseptically obtained culture of fluid or tissue in the organ/space

Other signs and symptoms (at least 1)

Pain or tenderness

Localized swelling

Redness or heat

Fever (>38˚C)

Localized pain or tenderness

Abscess or other evidence of infection involving the deep incision

Abscess or other evidence of infection involving the organ/space