Table 1 Criteria of surgical site infection (summarized)

Incisional SSI

Superficial incisional SSI

1. Purulent drainage, with or without laboratory conformation, from the superficial incision

2. Organisms isolated from an aseptically obtained culture of fluid or tissue from the superficial incision

3. At least one of the following signs or symptoms of infection: pain or tenderness, localized swelling, redness or heat, which requre the superficial incision to be deliberately opened by a surgeon,unless the incision is culture negative

4. Diagnosis of superficial incisional SSI made by the surgeon

Deep incisional SSI

1. Purulent drainage from the deep incision but not from the organ/space component of the surgical site

2. Diagnosis of a deep incisional SSI made by the surgeon

Organ/space SSI

1. Purulent drainage from a drain that is placed though a cut

2. Organisms isolated from an aseptically obtained culture of fluid or tissue in the organ/space

3. An abscess or other evidence of infection involving the organ/space that is found on direct examination, during reoperation, or by histopathologic or radiologic examination

4. Diagnosis of an organ/space SSI by the surgeon