Can surgical site infections be reduced with the adoption of a bundle of simultaneous initiatives? The use of NSQIP incidence data to follow multiple quality improvement interventions.

SUMMARY: Surgical site infections (SSI) are a common complication after surgical procedures. To reduce the incidence of SSIs, Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital decided to institute a bundle of initiatives to change multiple factors simultaneously based on best available evidence and the understanding of infection pathophysiology. We used National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data on the incidence of SSIs in our targeted and essentials, general surgery and orthopedic surgery cases before and after the implementation of an SSI reduction bundle. This article discusses whether the use of intervention bundles may assist in the reduction of a variety of postoperative surgical complications.