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CHRISTUS St. Patrick Quality Report

More information about Surgical Infection Prevention

There are also steps that you can take to make sure the surgery is as safe as possible. For example, you can ask your doctor or nurse to tell you how to wash with an antiseptic soap the day before surgery. You should also give your doctor or nurse a list of all your medications, including vitamins, herbal medicines and over-the-counter medications. Make sure to tell your doctor or nurse about any allergies or bad reactions you have had to anesthesia used in other surgeries.

Sometimes, even with the best preventive measures, patients get an infection after surgery. Here are signs to look out for:

• The surgical wound is red, hot, and swollen.
• You have a fever of over 100 degrees after you go home.
• A smelly pus or yellow/green fluid is coming out of the wound.
• Your pain is increasing even though you are taking pain medication.

Call your doctor or local hospital immediately if you have any of these signs.