2 Criteria for defining surgical site infection(SSI) Superficial incisional infection SSI that occurs within 30 days of surgery, involves only the skin or subcutaneous tissue of the incision and meets at least one of the following criteria : 1. Purulent drainage from superficial incision. 2. Culture of organisms and pus cells present in : - Fluid and/or tissue from superficial incision, or - Wound swab from superficial incision. 3. At least two symptoms of inflammation : - Pain, tenderness, localised swelling, redness, heat. - And either : i) Incision deliberately opened to manage infection, or ii) Clinician's diagnosis of superficial SSI. Note : stitch abscesses (minimal inflammation or discharge at suture point) do not classify as SSI. Deep incisional infection SSI involving the deep tissues ( fascia and muscle layers). Within 30 days of surgery (or one year if a prosthetic implant is in place). Where the infection appears to be related to the surgical procedure and meets at least one of the following criteria : 1. Purulent drainage from deep incision (not organ space). 2. Organisms from culture and pus cells present in : - Fluid and/or tissue from deep incision, or - wound swab from deep incision. 3. Deep incision dehisced or deliberately opened and patient has at least one symptom of : -Fever, localised pain, tenderness. 4. Abscess or other evidence of infection involving the deep incision seen during re-operation or by histopathological or radiological examination. 5. Clinician's diagnosis of deep incisional SSI. Note : an infection involving both superficial and deep incision = deep incisional. Organ or space infection SSI involving the organ or space (other than the incision) opened or manipulated during the surgical procedure, that occurs within 30 days of surgery (or one year is a prosthetic implant is in place). Where the infection appears to be related to the surgical procedure and meets at least one of the following criteria : 1. Purulent drainage from drain (through stab wound) into organ or space. 2. Organisms from culture and pus cells present in : - Fluid and/or tissue from organ or space, or - Swab from organ or space. 3. Abscess or other evidence of infection in organ or space seen during re-operation or by histopathological or radiological examination. 4. Clinician's diagnosis of organ or space infection