Chasing Zero: Our Journey to Preventing Surgical Site Infection
Abstract
After an increase in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections was discovered at a health care facility in Arizona, a multidisciplinary team convened to investigate the underlying problem and work toward eliminating surgical site infections. The team investigated environmental factors, held inservice sessions to reinforce sterile technique, and made important changes to the facility culture in efforts to eliminate surgical site infections. The team's efforts were put into practice on October 30, 2008, and only one surgical site infection was identified in the following seven months.
Key words: surgical site infection, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, chlorhexidine gluconate, evidence-based practice, operating room environment
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Editor's note: The authors used data available at the time of their writing of this article. As of their writing, there was only one SSI and no MRSA infections through May 30, 2009. At the end of the second quarter in June, they experienced a few infections and have returned to zero infections in the third quarter. They continue their quest for zero infections.
PII: S0001-2092(09)00922-3
doi:10.1016/j.aorn.2009.08.013
© 2010 AORN, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.