Hospitals in pursuit of excellence

Health Care-Acquired Infections: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Decrease Surgical Site Infections in the Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Patient Population

Best practices from the Surgical Care Improvement Project have been implemented to reduce the incidence of SSI. These practices in cardiac surgery patients include the appropriate use of prophylactic antibiotics, appropriate hair removal and post-operative glucose control. A multidisciplinary team reviewed data and applied a root cause analysis methodology to determine causative factors. CABG SSI decreased from a rate of 5.1 per 100 to 2.6 per 100. Striving for zero defects project spread continues.

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This case study is part of the Illinois Hospital Association's annual quality awards. Each year, IHA recognizes and celebrates the achievements of Illinois hospitals in continually improving and transforming health care in the state. These hospitals are improving health by striving to achieve the Triple Aim--improving the patient experience of care (including quality and satisfaction); improving the health of populations; and reducing the per capita cost of health care.

Award recipients achieve measurable and meaningful progress in providing care that is:

• Safe
• Timely
• Effective
• Efficient
• Equitable
• Patient-centered

(The Institute of Medicine's six aims for improvement.)