Reply to letter to the editor on “Infection prevention bundle reduces surgical site infections following cranial surgery”

Excerpt

We thank Dr. Beuy and Viroj for their interest in our publication. Indeed, they mention an essential problem, of which we are aware of. This is reflected by the components of the infection prevention bundle. Under point 2 of the bundle, we listed the training of our staff. At our institution, this is not a single teaching unit, but a continuous process of frequent instructive talks, attended by physicians, nurses, and hygiene experts. We always staple a sterile drape on the wound at the end of every surgery (also before implementation of the bundle) and do not remove it until the seventh postoperative day. Therefore, there is no room for human error with regard to postoperative wound management the first 7 days following surgery as we do not manipulate the sterile drape during that period. …