From Evidence to Implementation: A SIMPIOS Multimodal, Continuous Improvement Approach to Prevent Surgical Site Infections

Surgical site infections (SSIs) represent the most prevalent healthcare-associated infections among surgical patients and are a major contributor to postoperative morbidity and mortality, prolonged hospitalization, and increased healthcare costs worldwide. Despite the availability of robust evidence-based guidelines for SSI prevention, adherence to these recommendations in routine clinical practice remains limited. To address this implementation gap, the Italian Multidisciplinary Society for the Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Infections (SIMPIOS) established a dedicated working group to identify, synthesize, and disseminate the most effective strategies for translating evidence-based SSI prevention measures into practice. The initiative was grounded in the recognition that the infection prevention and control (IPC) approach requires not only a solid scientific foundation but also a multidisciplinary, systems-based approach that integrates clinical evidence with a culture of collaboration and safety. The resulting article seeks to provide a structured framework for continuous quality improvement in IPC. The SIMPIOS framework provides an evidence-based approach to SSI prevention, focusing on the practical implementation of guidelines in everyday clinical practice. Grounded in implementation science, this framework promotes multimodal strategies, multidisciplinary collaboration, and continuous evaluation to support sustainable improvements in patient safety across the perioperative pathway.