Deborah Spratt, RN, Director Perioperative Services, St. James Mercy Hospital

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the most common nosocomial infections among surgical patients. Despite improvements in infection prevention, SSIs remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. Review of our data and processes identified an opportunity to make positive change by convening a multidisciplinary committee to create and champion an evidence-based prevention bundle. This bundle resulted in the introduction of new products, patient screening, staff education and patient education that demonstrated a measurable reduction in SSIs over a five-year period.