ABSTRACT
A surgical site infection (SSI) is a post-operative complication occurring within 30 days of a surgical procedure. Prevalence is roughly 10% but this is higher for acute surgery. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence is currently working on guidelines for managing SSIs. A clearly written, dated and signed account in the medical notes is a legal requirement and your only defence if there is a problem later. If you have requested a test you should make sure the results are checked and documented. The transcellular fluid compartment includes bone, synovial fluid, gastrointestinal luminal fluid, cerebrospinal fluid and the aqueous humor of the eye. Colloids contain higher molecular weight molecules than crystalloids and will therefore remain longer in the intravascular compartment. They are used as a short-term measure to expand plasma volume and improve blood pressure. In order to minimise errors when taking a sample, blood should be taken from only one patient at a time.
