Improving awareness of best practices to reduce surgical site infection: a multistakeholder approach

Am J Med Qual. 2012 Jul-Aug;27(4):297-304. doi: 10.1177/1062860611422122. Epub 2011 Sep 29.

Abstract

Surgical site infection (SSI) is recognized as a focus area by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Joint Commission, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, and the Institute of Medicine. An estimated 47% to 84% of SSIs present after discharge from the hospital or ambulatory care facility and, as a result, go undetected by standard SSI surveillance programs. Evidence-based processes and practices that are known to reduce the incidence of SSIs tend to be underused in routine practice. This article describes a multistakeholder process used to develop an educational initiative to raise awareness of best practices to reduce SSIs. The goal was to create a patient-centric educational initiative that involved an active partnership among all stakeholders-medical professional organizations, hospitals/health systems, health insurers, employers and other purchasers, and consumers/patients-to provide the climate necessary to create and sustain a culture of safety.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cooperative Behavior
  • Education, Medical, Continuing / methods*
  • Education, Medical, Continuing / organization & administration
  • Humans
  • Patient Care Team / organization & administration
  • Patient Education as Topic / methods
  • Patient Safety
  • Patient-Centered Care / methods
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic*
  • Surgical Wound Infection / prevention & control*