AORN 2016 - Reducing Colorectal Surgical Site Infections Back

Course overview

One of the expected outcomes for all surgical patients is that they are free of infection; achieving this outcome is one of the perioperative nurse’s greatest responsibilities, especially in today’s dynamic health care environment. Surgical site infections (SSIs) remain a health care concern; for colorectal surgery patients, SSI rates are disproportionately higher and the resulting infections have adverse clinical and economic implications, such as patient morbidity and mortality, extended lengths of hospital stay, and increased health care costs. Recently, The Joint Commission Center for Transforming Healthcare and seven participating health care facilities conducted a study focused on colorectal surgery since it is a common procedure across various types of hospitals, has a high variability in performance, can be associated with significant complications, and presents considerable opportunities for improvement. Therefore, perioperative nurses should be aware of the impact of colorectal SSIs today, their potential contributing factors, and various protocols and products available to effectively reduce the risks for colorectal SSIs. This continuing education activity will discuss how colorectal SSIs affect reimbursement in current health care economic environments. The three types of colorectal SSIs will be defined. Key results from The Joint Commission Center for Transforming Healthcare colorectal SSI study, including contributing factors and targeted solutions, will be reviewed. Practices and products available today that assist in reducing the risks associated with colorectal SSIs will be outlined. Finally, strategies to sustain long term success in changing colorectal SSI risk reduction practices will be explored.