Surgical care bundles for surgical site infection prevention in high-income and low-to-middle-income countries: A comparative review

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are infections of the incision site or organ space following a surgical procedure. The ramifications of an SSI extend beyond individual patient morbidity; SSIs lead to a substantial strain on healthcare systems, irrespective of the economic standing of the country. The utilization of a “care bundle” is a recommended approach for reducing the incidence of SSIs. These bundles typically involve the integration of evidence-based interventions, spanning preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases of care, which aim to standardize healthcare delivery and infection prevention practices. While there is evidence supporting the efficacy of various care bundles, comparisons between specific bundles implemented in high-income countries (HICs) and low- to middle-income countries (LMICs) remain largely unreported. Understanding variations in implemented care bundles in these settings is central to optimize approaches for SSI risk reduction on a global scale.