Impact of a quality improvement intervention on the incidence of surgical site infection in patients undergoing colorectal surgery: Pre-test-post-test design

Aims and ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to measure the impact of a complex quality improvement intervention on the incidence of SSI in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. BackgroundSurgical site infections are a major postoperative complication for patients undergoing colorectal surgery. Prevention of SSIs necessitates a complex intervention requiring many elements to be in place to ensure the successful implementation of prevention measures. DesignThis study was a non-equivalent pre-test post-test design where consecutive patients undergoing colorectal surgery were surveyed for surgical site infections for 30 days postoperatively and is reported using the SQUIRE 2.0. MethodsA baseline cohort of patients was retrospectively reviewed in a single centre to ascertain the surgical site infection incidence rate in the first 6 months of 2018 (T0) and prospectively at two 6-month time periods in 2019 (T1, T2) following the introduction of a complex intervention. There were 311 patients included across three time periods. ResultsThere was a notable decrease in surgical site infection incidence rates from baseline over the course of the study. Univariate analysis identified Body Mass Index, a wound contamination classification of dirty or contaminated, duration of surgery >75th percentile and a National Healthcare Safety Network risk index score of 3 as factors that significantly increase the probability of developing a surgical site infection. Multivariate analysis identified duration of surgery and body mass index increased the probability of an SSI. The results of the logistical regression model found that there was a significant reduction in the probability of an SSI between T0 and T2. ConclusionsThe implementation of a complex intervention led to a reduction in the incidence of surgical site infections and improved implementation of evidence-based practices as part of a care bundle in relation to the prevention of surgical site infections in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. Relevance to Clinical PracticeA multicomponent multidisciplinary complex intervention as part of a quality improvement project can successfully reduce the incidence rates of surgical site infections in patients who require elective colorectal surgery. Normalisation Process Theory provides guidance and support in implementing complex interventions for the prevention of surgical site infection. Patient or Public ContributionPatients provided post-discharge information on their wound healing as part of the surveillance component of the intervention. Five patients reviewed and provided feedback on a patient information booklet which was developed from this quality improvement intervention. A multidisciplinary steering group guided all stages of the project.

Automated summary

The aim of this study was to measure the impact of a complex quality improvement intervention on the incidence of surgical site infections (SSI) in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. The results showed that the implementation of a complex intervention led to a reduction in the incidence of SSI and improved implementation of evidence-based practices in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery.