AAOS Guidelines/Infection Prophylaxis

The hip and knee specialists at Plaza Medical Center faithfully adhere to the practice guidelines established by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons - particularly those dealing with techniques and methods to eliminate infection.

It is routine for all joint-replacement and reconstruction patients to be placed on an antibiotic regimen for the 24 hours immediately following surgery. Patients are also given antibiotics before the surgery begins. The correct antibiotics for each patient are selected in accordance with AAOS guidelines and the current medical literature. The selection process takes into account issues such as antibiotic resistance and patient allergies.

Medication timing and dosage are calculated to optimize the efficacy of each patient’s specific antibiotic regimen. Only in exceptional circumstances are these drugs administered beyond the 24-hour post-operative period.

As an additional infection-control measure, each surgeon wears an advanced surgical “space suit” that completely protects both the patient and the surgeon. In addition, Plaza has built special operating rooms for joint replacement and reconstruction that, by minimizing the presence of bacteria in the external environment, also help minimize the possibility of infection.