The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has released the results of a study commissioned in 2010 to identify risk factors associated with surgical site infections from ambulatory procedures.
The following events were significant risk factors in SSI development:
1. Failure to perform appropriate preoperative skin preparations.
2. Antibiotic-related errors.
3. Inadequate staff training on infection control practices.
4. Punctures in gloves.
5. Staff failure to remove watches, jewelry, artificial nails.
The resulting intervention that the authors developed focuses on improving adherence to and standards for infection control practices based on the above identified risk factors.
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Intervention components for controlling SSI risk factors include:
1. Identification of high-risk patients.
2. Implementation of watch, jewelry, artificial nail removal procedures.
3. Guidance on double gloving practices, response to glove punctures.
4. Education on skin preparation, including antisepsis, draping.
5. Appropriate antibacterial agent administration.
The report also noted the importance of communication across providers, the prevalence of poor communication in healthcare settings and the need for providers to strive for clearer, more intentional communication.
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