Protocols to Prevent SSIs and SSCs: Initiatives to Improve Outcomes
Protocols to Prevent SSIs and SSCs: Initiatives to Improve Outcomes
[Sponsored] Hospital-acquired conditions, such as surgical site infections (SSIs) and complications (SSCs), are a major burden to the U.S. health care system. With 60% of SSIs considered to be preventable, clinical protocols can make a critical difference in avoiding delayed discharges, costly readmissions, and delayed healing post-surgery. In this executive dialogue, nurse executives discuss how organizations can reduce the incidence of SSIs and SSCs through greater transparency, collaboration and enhanced clinician and patient education.
This executive dialogue will highlight key findings on:
- Continued fatigue from the COVID-19 pandemic presents an ongoing challenge for hospitals and health systems. Emphasis must be placed on adherence to handwashing and basic infection prevention techniques to prevent and manage SSIs and SSCs.
- Identifying risk factors for SSIs enables targeted education to prevent their occurrence. One solution is to implement a pre-surgical preparation clinic to work closely with high-risk patients in the weeks leading up to their procedure.
- Data is a strong influencer and can significantly impact clinician behavior. Organizations should consider sharing individual performance data in advance of team meetings to facilitate a productive discussion.
- Additional guidelines are needed to identify when to delay surgery for patients at high-risk for infections.
- Gaps in patient education can result in post-discharge infections leading to readmissions. Organizations should reassess their patient education and develop easy to understand guidelines for wound care and conduct patient follow-up calls post-discharge.
Sponsored by
Related Resources
Guides/Reports
Today's health care environment is complex and creates demands requiring the professional nurse to be an astute critical thinker, confident and…
Guides/Reports
Care is moving from patient-centered to patient-driven. Nurses must take into account the many variables that contribute to the care of older adults.
Toolkits/Methodology
?Member Only? This toolkit has been designed with the Nurse Executive in mind and will serve as a valuable resource for all phases of technology…
Other Resources
Evolving from the increasingly complex role of the professional nurse, AONL has advanced and supported key works on the future of the professional…
Guides/Reports
The nurses and caregivers in our health care system are on the front lines of care, serving a special note that mandates a high standard of care to…