Surgical wound infections – a historical review

Authors

  • Bill Newsom Cambridge

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3396/ijic.v4i1.3028

Abstract

Until the 1860’s surgical site infection was so severe that surgeons rarely operated. Erichsen, from University College Hospital in London coined the phrase ‘ hospitalism’ for what we now call healthcare-associated infection’. He provided 13 recommendations for its prevention - many of which remain valid to-day. However it was his pupil Joseph Lister who first made surgery possible using his ‘antiseptic method’ based on a phenolimpregnated wound dressing. This was later developed into the ‘aseptic surgery’ of to-day.

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Published

2008-09-29

How to Cite

Newsom, B. (2008). Surgical wound infections – a historical review. International Journal of Infection Control, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.3396/ijic.v4i1.3028

Issue

Section

Review Articles