title: Sternal wound care to prevent infections in adult cardiac surgery patients.
abstract: Sternal wound infection post-cardiac surgery is a serious complication that can lead to increased length of stay, substantial financial impact, and increased mortality. The occurrence of sternal wound infections has been reported from 0.4% to 4% of postoperative cardiac surgeries. It is imperative that every heart surgery program implements the best practice to prevent the detrimental effects of sternal wound infections. In an effort to improve the cardiothoracic (CT) surgery program in a community hospital, a decision was made to create a specialty floor including specialized nurses to care for open-heart surgery patients. In October 2010, a group of these nurses formed a working committee to explore ways to improve the overall care of our CT surgery patients. A vision and purpose for this committee were identified: (1) update and improve practice for CT surgery patients utilizing evidence-based standards, (2) successfully disseminate this information to all staff caring for the CT surgery patients, and (3) evaluate the impact of any practice changes on patient outcomes. An initial focus for the committee was to standardize sternal wound care among all staff members on the cardiovascular floors, cardiac care unit, and progressive care unit.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Education Department, Torrance Memorial Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90505, USA. lynda.stoodley@tmmc.com
authors.forename: Lynda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stoodley
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lillington
authors.forename: Lianna
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ansryan
authors.forename: Reiko
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ota
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Caluya
authors.forename: Edwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Camello
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Huskins
authors.forename: Daniella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.forename: Cherry Mae
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Silvino
authors.forename: Ezioma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nwokafor
authors.forename: Brandy
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Van Zitter
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Olton
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: Lorri
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: Rhonda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mohler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing*; D055318:Evidence-Based Nursing; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D015401:Nursing Administration Research; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*