What term describes an infection that occurs within 30 days of an operation?

The term that describes an infection occurring within 30 days of an operation is post-operative infections. These infections can develop as a complication from the surgical procedure itself due to various factors such as the surgical site becoming contaminated.

Post-operative infections typically arise from bacterial flora present on the skin or in the operating room environment, and can manifest as surgical site infections (SSIs). Monitoring patients post-surgery for signs of infection is crucial for timely intervention and prevention of further complications.

While nosocomial infections are also a type of infection that can occur in healthcare settings, they are generally defined as infections acquired during a hospital stay that were not present at the time of admission, which may or may not relate specifically to surgical procedures. Community-acquired infections arise outside of healthcare settings, and chronic infections refer to long-term infections that can last for months or years. Therefore, the most appropriate term for an infection occurring within that specific timeframe post-surgery is post-operative infections.