Women undergoing breast surgery have a more than 5% chance of developing surgical site infections, according to a study published in the January issue of Archives of Surgery. Such infections could result in hospital bills exceeding $4,000, researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine said. On average, it took 47 days after surgery for the diagnosis of an infection to be made.

The researchers added that the incidence of infection could be lowered by measures including “strategies to optimize the timing and dosage of prophylactic antibiotics administered before the surgical incision, glucose control in diabetic patients, promotion of meticulous hand hygiene, and strategies to promote timely removal of drains.”