Quality Patient Care

Patient Safety Initiatives

Prevention of Surgical Site Infections

It has been said that any time you make an incision in the body, you can create an opportunity for germs to thrive. The challenge is to reduce the number of opportunities for germs to thrive by implementing established evidence-based protocols throughout surgical units.

According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, surgical site infections occur in 2 to 5 percent of all surgeries and as many as 20 percent of all operations.

Through a team of clinicians, several evidence-based processes were put into place to reduce the number of surgical site infections at Randolph Hospital. Implementing protocols takes a level of coordination and precision that requires the full support and coordination of an entire team including: nurses, physicians, technicians, etc. in many departments within the hospital. Since 2006, these protocols have been in place and the number of infections continues to lower. Some of the protocols put into place include:

  • Appropriate antibiotics before and after surgery - To boost the body's ability to fight off contaminations during surgery, the patient will receive a well-chosen and carefully-timed antibiotics.
  • No use of razors at the surgical site before surgery - Shaving can produce microscopic nicks and cuts on the skin that create easy access for germs. Patients should NEVER shave themselves in preparation for surgery.
  • Keeping the patient warm during surgery - Maintaining body temperature between 36 and 38 degrees centigrade (roughly normal body temperature) helps maintain resistance to infection.
  • Monitoring of Blood Sugar following surgery - High blood sugar encourages the development and spread of infection. Testing of blood sugar allows staff to control the levels in the patient's body after surgery.