Dr Gunson's research findings incorporated into the WHO global guidelines for the prevention of surgical site infection

03/04/17 10:01

Dr Gunson's research group is honoured to have been referenced in the 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) Global Guidelines For The Prevention Of Surgical Site Infection. The document provides detailed, evidence-based, peer-reviewed consensus recommendations regarding pre-, intra-, and postoperative interventions aimed at reducing the risk of infection related to surgical procedures.

Section 4.2 Decolonization with mupirocin ointment with or without chlorhexidine gluconate body wash for the prevention of Staphylococcus aureus infection in nasal carriers undergoing surgery, makes the recommendation that treatment be considered in patients with known nasal carriage of S. aureus undergoing other types of surgery with perioperative intranasal application of mupirocin 2% ointment with or without a combination of CHG body wash.

This recommendation references Dr Gunson's 2013 study using this approach in the prevention of surgical site infection in Mohs micrographic surgery. Austral J Dermatol. 2013;54(2):109-14.

The full WHO guidelines are available for download at:
http://www.who.int/gpsc/ssi-prevention-guidelines/en/