Implementation of a Surgical Comprehensive Unit-Based Safety Program to Reduce Surgical Site Infections

Reduced Length of Hospital Stay in Colorectal Surgery After Implementation of an Enhanced Recovery Protocol

“…SSIs are the most common complication after colorectal surgery, and although some centers have reported SSI rates less than 10%, 32 the incidence of SSIs after colorectal surgery has been reported to be as great as 25-30% in several large, observational studies. [33][34][35] Our SSI rate decreased after introduction of the ERAS program but remains high and we are currently evaluating a bundle of care measures to reduce bacterial contamination of the surgical site. Future strategies should also concentrate on timely recognition and management of complications when they occur, which is an important determinant of postoperative mortality.…”

Improving Outcomes in Colorectal Surgery by Sequential Implementation of Multiple Standardized Care Programs

“…[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] Similarly, the SSIB is a perioperative care program that systematically provides evidence-supported measures for surgical wound infection prevention and has been shown to reduce the rate of postoperative wound infection. [18][19][20][21][22] Although both the ERP and SSIB have individually been shown to improve outcomes after CRS, the effect of their combined presence has not, to our knowledge, previously been reported in the literature. The colorectal surgery service at our institution sequentially implemented the ERP in February 2010, followed by the SSIB in July 2011; together they have profoundly altered the practice of CRS at our institution.…”

Continuous Quality Improvement in Orthopaedic Surgery: Improving Patient Experience, Safety and Outcomes

“…With a focus on improving safety culture and integrating safety practices into clinical units, the Comprehensive UnitBased Safety Program (CUSP) was developed to address patient risks identified by frontline providers and, with hospital executive support, optimize physician buy-in and implement a safety culture [12]. Surgical site infections (SSI) in both orthopedic and neurosurgical spine patients have been the primary focus of CUSP to date.…”