What it means
In infection control, SSI means a surgical site infection: an infection of the incision or the organs and spaces handled during surgery, within 30 days of the operation (or longer when an implant is placed). In medication orders it has been used for sliding scale insulin, and ISMP lists that use as error-prone, because SSI has been read as "strong solution of iodine". Write "sliding scale (insulin)" in full.
For the nurse
Never write SSI on a medication order or record. If an order uses it, clarify with the prescriber before giving insulin.
Related terms
insulin
A hormone made by the pancreas that lets the body's cells take in glucose, also made as a medicine.
postoperative
Describing the time after surgery, from the end of the operation until recovery.