{
  "abstract": "Background and Importance Surgical site infections (SSIs) are among the most common postoperative complications, associated with prolonged hospitalisation, increased antibiotic use, and higher healthcare costs. Conventional preoperative cleansing with soap and water is time-consuming, inconsistent in quality, and may expose patients to cross-contamination. Disposable preoperative cleansing wipes provide a standardised, safe and efficient alternative.Aim and Objectives This study evaluated the safety, clinical effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and organisational impact of disposable cleansing wipes compared with traditional washing, to support their evidence-based adoption in surgical practice.Material and Methods A structured HTA was conducted in line with the eight core domains (technical, safety, clinical effectiveness, economic, organisational, social, ethical and legal). The comparison drew on technical specifications, safety data, evidence from published literature, simplified economic modelling and organisational outcomes. The evaluation involved hospital pharmacists, surgical teams, and infection control specialists.Results Disposable wipes were well tolerated, with no reported skin irritation, and ensured standardised cleansing procedures that reduced cross-contamination risks. Evidence from published literature reported up to a 20% reduction in SSI incidence with wipes compared with traditional soap and water washing. The average cost was €3 per pack (48 wipes), corresponding to ~€0.50 per patient (eight wipes), versus ~€0.03 per patient for 2–3 doses of liquid soap diluted in water (500-ml bottle). Despite an incremental cost of €0.47 per patient, the use of wipes is economically justified by the significant savings associated with SSI prevention. A simplified economic model applied to a 100-patient cohort predicted the prevention of one SSI–considering that SSI management in Italy/Europe averages €4,000–9,000 per case and 7–13 additional hospital days–resulting in net savings of €3,950–8,953. Wipes also reduced preparation time to 5 minutes per patient compared with 15–20 minutes with soap and water, releasing 16–25 nursing hours per 100 patients and improving efficiency in high-intensity surgical settings.Conclusion and Relevance Disposable cleansing wipes are a safe, effective and cost-efficient option for preoperative hygiene. Although they involve a slightly higher per patient expenditure, this is outweighed by savings from SSI prevention, reduced hospital stays and optimised staff resources. Multidisciplinary evaluation confirmed their clinical, economic and organisational benefits, supporting evidence-based integration into surgical protocols.Conflict of Interest No conflict of interest",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "IRCCS Ospedale Galeazzi-Sant’ambrogio, U.O. Farmacia, Milano, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "B Faitelli"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "IRCCS Ospedale Galeazzi-Sant’ambrogio, U.O. Farmacia, Milano, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "B Crivelli"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "IRCCS Ospedale Galeazzi-Sant’ambrogio, U.O. Farmacia, Milano, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "F Pieri"
    }
  ],
  "title": "4CPS-268 Health technology assessment of disposable preoperative cleansing wipes: cost-effectiveness and impact on SSI reduction",
  "uid": "b2d568b8-4ac9-5b41-88fd-ccfc384ac38b"
}