SSI rates before, after reuse of PPE during pandemic

Editor's Note

This study from Trinity Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, compares prepandemic surgical site infection (SSI) rates before reusing personal protective equipment (PPE), to pandemic SSI rates after reusing PPE in trauma surgical patients.

A total of 48,987 patients were included in the analysis, with half in the postpandemic group.

After accounting for potential population differences, SSIs did not significantly increase from pre- to postpandemic for any infection type—superficial, deep, or organ space.

Such studies may help guide discussions on PPE reuse and lead to reduced financial burden on organizations, the researchers say.