Surveillance of surgical site infections in Europe, 2008-2009

 Each year in the European Union, approximately four million patients acquire healthcare-associated infections and 37 000 of them die as a result. Surgical site infections are among the most common types of infection. All patients undergoing surgery are at risk of complications, including surgical site infections. The primary aim of this report is to present the results of the 2008-2009 surveillance of surgical site infections across Europe.