It’s International Caesarean Awareness Month and the number of babies delivered by C-Section (CS) is increasing across the globe. In England, around 45% of births are by CS¹. Whilst most deliveries are uneventful, up to 16% of mums will experience a surgical site infection (SSI)². Yet SSIs have been described as the “most preventable’ healthcare associated infection”³.
NICE guidance 2019, on preventing SSIs recommends the use of a body wash “before procedures in which Staphylococcus aureus is a likely cause of a surgical site infection” as it “may reduce SSIs”.4
Case study
Aisha, 28, had experienced difficulties with the vaginal delivery of her first two children. Whilst pregnant with her third child she requested a planned caesarean section, which her Trust agreed to. She used octenisan body wash for 5 days before being admitted at 39 weeks. The caesarean section delivery of a baby boy was carried out under epidural anaesthetic. 24 hours later, Aisha returned home to the care of the community midwife. She used octenisan wash mitts daily to keep the periwound skin clean.
Her scar healed quickly and Aisha regularly applied octenicare repair creme to support skin regeneration and help reduce scarring.
The octenidine-containing range
octenilin® wound irrigation solution removes wound coating and biofilm; and creates an ideal environment for wound healing.
octenilin® wound gel effectively moisturises and cleans wounds to support the natural healing process.
octenisan® wash lotion for mild and gentle whole body washing against MDRO.
octenisan® wash mitts are ready-to-use for cleaning and care of the skin; also for MDRO decontamination.
octenicare® repair creme contains panthenol to support the natural regeneration of the skin and is suitable for epithelialised wounds.
Please visit https://www.schuelke.com/gb-en/media/news/news/Caesarean-awareness.php and https://www.schuelke-academy.com/ to find out more.
References
2. Health Innovation, West of England, Preventing Caesarean Birth Surgical Site Infection, 2023
https://www.healthinnowest.net/our-work/transforming-services-and-systems/preventing-surgical-site-infections/reducing-surgical-site-infection-caesarean-birth/ accessed 010425
3. Leaper D. An overview of surgical site infection Review. Wounds UK, EWMA SPECIAL, 2015 p 14-19
4. NICE guideline: Surgical site infections: prevention and treatment Published: 11 April 2019 Last updated: 19 August 2020 www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng125
