Date of Graduation

Summer 8-10-2018

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

<-- Please Select One -->

College/School

School of Nursing and Health Professions

Abstract

Surgical site infections (SSI) are a common cause of healthcare-associated infections (HAI). They remain a significant problem, as they are associated with increased morbidity and mortality and cause an increase in demand for several healthcare resources. In order to address this problem, hospitals have implemented several protocols and polices that are aimed to reduce these infections. However, the rates of SSIs continue to rise. Healthcare team members have found that while it is their responsibility to enforce preventative measures to the patient in the preoperative and surgical room, patient compliance to preventive measures at home also plays a role.

At a pediatric metropolitan hospital, a group of CNL students conducted a quality improvement project that focuses on the implementation of an educational pamphlet for preoperative patients. The purpose of this pamphlet was to educate preoperative patients on proper hygiene methods that can reduce surgical site infections. A SSI Prevention Assessment Tool was created in order to survey the amount of preoperative patients who were clean and dirty. Results from these surveys indicated that majority of the preoperative patients were found to be clean. The CNL students were unable to collect and analyze data from the implementation of the educational pamphlet as it still under review from the Patient and Family Education Committee. However, results from the SSI Prevention Assessment Tool surveys indicate that patient education is needed. The CNL students believe that the implementation of Preventing Surgical Site Infections at Home will decrease rates of SSIs.

Download

Share

COinS