My mother is in the hospital with an infection that developed about a week after her spine surgery. We are trying to make plans for where she should go after she’s discharged. What can we expect to happen with treatment? How soon can she get out of the hospital?

These are all very good questions that should be asked of the hospital staff. If you are there when the surgeon comes in to check on your mother, then you can find out directly. If not, then check with the nursing staff or social worker assigned to your mother’s case.

Some of these questions may not have a specific answer. For example, the patient’s response to antibiotic treatment is a key factor. And this may depend on how deep the infection is and the general health of the patient. Matching the type of infection with the most appropriate antibiotic is also important.

Surgical site infections are treated first with intravenous (IV) antibiotics. In some cases, further surgery may be needed. The area of infection may have to be debrided. This means the infected or dead tissue is removed. The site is flushed clean with a saline (salt) solution.

If there was hardware such as metal plates, screws, or pins that are infected, these may have to be removed. The surgeon makes this decision after debriding the area.

Patient factors that can affect recovery include bowel or bladder incontinence (leaking or accidents), diabetes, and obesity. Although nutrition is important in wound healing, malnutrition before surgery does not seem to put patients at risk for infection.