Surveillance of Surgical Site Infection: Development of an Effective System

Abstract

Background and Aim: Surgical site infection (SSI) remains an important concern in Japan. The Japanese Society for Infection and Prevention Control disclosed that the incidence of SSIs has been lowered only by a fraction over the past 10 years. The importance of taking steps to reduce the occurrence of SSIs is recognized by many hospitals, but to date, no truly effective countermeasures have been reported. We executed a plan to better understand the specific surveillance needs at St. Marianna University School of Medicine Hospital and then develop and institute procedures that would reduce the incidence of SSIs.
Methods and Results: In 2005, we began development of an enhanced SSI surveillance system. With our basic CDC-based surveillance system in place, we assembled a team of doctors and nurses to oversee surveillance. We practiced strict record keeping and data analysis, gleaned information from staff, and enlisted the cooperation of other departments. New procedures were established accordingly and implemented in three phases. Between 2005 and 2013, we witnessed informative fluctuations in the incidence of SSIs. Key components of our new system were standardized postoperative wound cleansing, use of buried absorbable sutures to close surgical wounds, consistent provision of 6 antibacterial agents, each one active against a common organ-specific pathogen, and establishment of a prophylactic protocol. New methods of information sharing were also instituted. We lowered the incidence of SSIs from 8% in 2006 to approximately 6.9% in 2012. We continue to monitor the number of SSIs occurring and are encouraged by a steady decline.
Conclusion: Establishment of the SSI team at our hospital has proven to be a useful multidisciplinary approach to nosocomial infection awareness and control. Gradual introduction of the system to the various departments and step-by-step implementation have decreased the occurrence of SSIs and the nosocomial spread of infectious agents.