Decreasing Surgical Site Infections to Improve Patient Outcomes

13 August 2024

Capstone Project presentation on: Decreasing Surgical Site Infections to Improve Patient Outcomes

Slide 1: Title Slide

Title: Decreasing Surgical Site Infections to Improve Patient Outcomes Name: Caroline Exum Institution: Chamberlain College of Nursing Course: NR451 RN Capstone Course Date: November 2017

Slide 2: Introduction

  • Title: Introduction to Surgical Site Infections (SSIs)
  • Content:
    • Definition: Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) are infections that occur after surgery in the part of the body where the surgery took place.
    • Significance: SSIs are among the most common healthcare-associated infections, leading to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs.
    • Objective: This presentation aims to explore strategies to decrease SSIs, thereby improving patient outcomes and reducing the burden on healthcare systems.

Slide 3: The ACE Star Model of Knowledge Transformation

  • Title: Overview of the ACE Star Model of Knowledge Transformation
  • Content:
    • Purpose: Developed by the Academic Center for Evidence-Based Practice (ACE) to facilitate the integration of evidence into healthcare practice.
    • Interdisciplinary Application: A tool designed to support healthcare professionals in achieving quality improvement goals.
    • Five Points of the Model:
      • Point One: Discovery
      • Point Two: Summary
      • Point Three: Translation
      • Point Four: Implementation
      • Point Five: Evaluation

Slide 4: Detailed Overview of the ACE Star Model Points

  • Title: Steps in the ACE Star Model of Knowledge Transformation
  • Content:
    • Discovery: Identifying clinical issues and gathering evidence through systematic research.
    • Summary: Synthesizing research findings into a concise summary that can guide clinical practice.
    • Translation: Adapting and applying research evidence into practical strategies suitable for the clinical setting.
    • Implementation: Executing the evidence-based strategies in clinical practice, ensuring adherence to protocols.
    • Evaluation: Assessing the outcomes of the implemented strategies to measure their effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

Slide 5: Formulating the PICO Question

  • Title: PICO Question to Guide Evidence-Based Practice
  • Content:
    • PICO Question: In preoperative surgical patients, is the use of preoperative bathing and showering with skin antiseptics enough to prevent surgical site infections?
    • Purpose: This question focuses on determining the effectiveness of preoperative antiseptic protocols in reducing the incidence of SSIs.

Slide 6: Scope of the Problem

  • Title: Understanding the Prevalence and Impact of SSIs
  • Content:
    • Incidence: Approximately 300,000 SSIs occur annually in the U.S.
    • Risk: Between 2% and 5% of inpatients undergoing surgery develop SSIs.
    • Mortality: SSIs contribute to a 3% mortality rate among affected patients.
    • Increased Risk: Patients who develop SSIs have a 2-11 times higher risk of death compared to those who do not.
    • Direct Attribution: 75% of deaths among patients with SSIs are directly attributable to the infection (Berríos-Torres, 2009).

Slide 7: The Economic and Systemic Impact of SSIs

  • Title: Financial and Systemic Consequences of SSIs
  • Content:
    • Preventability: SSIs are considered largely preventable with proper preoperative and postoperative care.
    • Financial Burden: The cost of managing SSIs is significant, with additional resources required for extended hospital stays, readmissions, and treatment of complications.
    • Reimbursement Challenges: Medicare, Medicaid, and other insurance providers often do not cover costs associated with SSIs, placing a financial strain on healthcare facilities.
    • System-Wide Impact: The cumulative costs associated with SSIs affect the entire healthcare system, from resource allocation to patient outcomes.

Slide 8: Stakeholders Involved in SSI Prevention

  • Title: Key Stakeholders in the SSI Reduction Initiative
  • Content:
    • Chief Nursing Officer (CNO):
      • Role: Leads the initiative, coordinates the efforts of the surgical team, and ensures adherence to evidence-based protocols.
    • Nurse Manager from Surgical Floor:
      • Role: Prepares and analyzes SSI occurrence rates, adjusts unit budgets to support SSI prevention efforts, and monitors compliance with new protocols.
    • Surgeons and Surgical Team:
      • Role: Implement preoperative and postoperative measures to reduce SSI risk, including the use of antiseptics and sterile techniques.
    • Infection Control Specialists:
      • Role: Provide expertise in infection prevention, conduct regular audits, and train staff on best practices.
    • Patients and Families:
      • Role: Participate in preoperative education, adhere to prescribed antiseptic protocols, and provide feedback on their care experience.

Slide 9: Implementing Change

  • Title: Strategies for Reducing SSIs
  • Content:
    • Preoperative Measures:
      • Use of antiseptic agents for preoperative bathing and showering.
      • Application of evidence-based guidelines for skin preparation.
    • Intraoperative Measures:
      • Adherence to strict aseptic techniques during surgery.
      • Use of sterile barriers and controlled environments to minimize contamination risks.
    • Postoperative Measures:
      • Monitoring surgical sites for signs of infection.
      • Educating patients on proper wound care and follow-up procedures.
    • Continuous Quality Improvement:
      • Regular review and update of SSI prevention protocols based on the latest evidence and outcomes.

Slide 10: Evaluation and Outcomes

  • Title: Evaluating the Effectiveness of SSI Reduction Strategies
  • Content:
    • Outcome Metrics:
      • Reduction in SSI rates post-implementation of antiseptic protocols.
      • Improvement in patient outcomes, including reduced morbidity and shorter hospital stays.
    • Cost-Benefit Analysis:
      • Assessing the financial savings from reduced SSIs against the cost of implementing new protocols.
    • Patient Satisfaction:
      • Measuring patient satisfaction levels through surveys and feedback, focusing on their experience with preoperative and postoperative care.
    • Continuous Monitoring:
      • Implementing a system for ongoing surveillance of SSI rates and regular reporting to stakeholders.

Slide 11: Future Directions

  • Title: Sustaining and Expanding SSI Prevention Efforts
  • Content:
    • Ongoing Education:
      • Continuous education and training for surgical teams on the latest evidence-based practices for SSI prevention.
    • Policy Development:
      • Collaborating with hospital administration to develop and enforce policies that prioritize SSI prevention.
    • Research and Innovation:
      • Encouraging research into new antiseptic agents and techniques to further reduce SSI risks.
    • Patient Engagement:
      • Involving patients in their care through education on the importance of SSI prevention and adherence to postoperative care instructions.

Slide 12: Conclusion

  • Title: Summary and Final Thoughts
  • Content:
    • Importance of SSI Prevention: Effective prevention of SSIs is critical for improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.
    • Role of the ACE Star Model: Utilizing the ACE Star Model provides a structured approach to implementing evidence-based practices in clinical settings.
    • Collaborative Effort: The success of SSI prevention efforts relies on the collaboration of all stakeholders, from healthcare providers to patients.
    • Future Commitment: Ongoing commitment to education, research, and policy development is essential for sustaining and expanding SSI prevention initiatives.

Slide 13: References

  • Title: References
  • Content:
    • Berríos-Torres, S. I. (2009). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [Insert full APA citation here].
    • Additional References: Include other relevant sources used in the presentation, formatted in APA style.