title: A Practice Improvement Project to Reduce Cesarean Surgical Site Infection Rates.
abstract: We implemented an evidence-based practice improvement project at a health care facility in the Midwestern United States to address the increasing rate of cesarean surgical site infections. Women who experienced cesarean birth were cared for using a standardized evidence-based protocol including preoperative and postoperative care and education. In addition, a team-created educational video was used by both women and their families during the postoperative period and at home after discharge. This new protocol resulted in a decrease in the rate of cesarean surgical site infections from 1.35% in 2013 to 0.7% in 2014 and 0.36% in 2015. Our interdisciplinary approach to integrate best-practice strategies resulted in decreased infection rates and improved patient satisfaction scores.
authors.forename: Cindra
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Holland
authors.forename: Peggy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ulrich
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Adkins
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013513:Obstetric Surgical Procedures / Q000451:nursing / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011247:Pregnancy; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014481:United States
keywords: cesarean; cesarean surgical site infection; patient education; postoperative infection