title: Reduction of surgical site infections in low transverse cesarean section at a university hospital.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We implemented evidence-based interventions to reduce risk of surgical site infection (SSI) following low transverse cesarean section (LTCS).
  
  
  METHODS
  An observational study was conducted to determine LTCS SSI rates and the impact of infection control interventions at an academic teaching hospital during the period October 2005 to December 2008, including the use of 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) for surgical skin preparation before LTCS and no-rinse CHG cloths for preoperative skin cleansing. We compared overall and risk strata specific SSI rates and standardized incidence ratios during 4 study periods and estimated cost savings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 1,844 LTCSs performed, 99 patients were identified with SSI. SSI rates per 100 LTCS declined from 6.27 at baseline and 10.84 during the outbreak period to 5.92 in intervention 1 period and 2.29 in intervention 2 period. Overall, a 63.5% reduction in SSI rate from baseline was achieved by ensuring compliance with SSI prevention guidelines and improving skin antisepsis (P = .003). In intervention 2 period, the standardized incidence ratio was 0.99 compared with 2.64 at baseline and 4.50 during the outbreak period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A multidisciplinary approach including evidence-based SSI prevention practices, effective infection prevention products, and staff and patient engagement substantially reduced infection risk and improved patient safety following LTCS.
authors.affiliation: University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Public Health, Epidemiology Department, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: May Mei-Sheng
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Riley
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Suda
authors.forename: Khalil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tabsh
authors.forename: Annemarie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Flood
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Pegues
mesh_terms: D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D004202:Disinfectants; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002710:Chlorhexidine