Logan S, Quinn D, Brault D, Vandal V, Pare B, Clarke S, et al.
Canadian journal of cardiovascular nursing = Journal canadien en soins infirmiers cardio-vascul.... Date of publication 2016 May 1;volume 26(4):19-26.
1. Can J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2016 May;26(4):19-26.
Risk Factors and Best Practices for the Prevention of Post-Cardiac Surgery
Surgical Site Infections in a Tertiary Care Centre.
Logan S, Quinn D, Brault D, Vandal V, Pare B, Clarke S.
BACKGROUND: Post-cardiac surgery surgical site infections (SSIs) pose devastating
consequences in terms of morbidity and mortality to patients.
OBJECTIVE: To examine current risk factors and best practice perioperative care
for prevention of SSI following cardiac surgery through the lens of the
demographic/clinical characteristics of patients who developed post-cardiac
surgery SSIs at a major tertiary care institution, and to identify where
documentation is lacking and could be improved to better serve clinical practice.
METHODS: A literature review on post-cardiac surgery SSI prevention and risk
factors was performed. These risk factors were examined through a retrospective
chart review of the population of patients who developed SSIs during the study
period.
RESULTS: The study population was characterized by a high prevalence of
riskfactors including age, diabetes, obesity, operative time, blood glucose
control, surgical re-exploration, blood transfusions, and emergency context, as
well as differences from best practice guidelines such as preoperative showering.
Compared to other populations in the literature, several ofthese risk factors
were more prevalent at the study site than in the other comparable populations.
CONCLUSION: The patient population had a relatively high prevalence of
riskfactors, and the care received by these patients varied in some ways from
best practices. Using best practice guidelines, known risk factors, and the data
specific to the institution can provide insightsfor analysis and practice
improvement efforts in the form of identifying at-risk patients, improving
adherence to best practice guidelines, targeting areas to focus care efforts, and
improving clincal documentation.
PMID: 29461711 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
