Categories of Surgical Site Infections3
| Category | Affected Tissue | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Superficial | Superficial tissue, skin, and subcutaneous tissue | One of the following required: Purulent drainage Organism appropriately obtained through wound culture Incision opened by physician, surgeon, or advanced practice practitioner and presence of pain, swelling, warmth, or redness Diagnosed as a superficial surgical site infection by a physician, surgeon, or advanced practice practitioner |
| Deep | Deep tissue, fascia, or muscle | One of the following required: Purulent drainage Spontaneous dehiscence or incision opened by a surgeon, organism appropriately obtained through wound culture, and presence of pain or fever Abscess identified by examination, surgery, or imaging |
| Organ space | Below the fascia and muscle | One of the following required: Purulent drainage from a drain in the deep organ space Organism appropriately obtained through wound culture Abscess identified by examination, surgery, or imaging |