Consensus Bundle on Prevention of Surgical Site Infections After Major Gynecologic Surgery

Surgical site infection prevention bundle in gynecology oncology surgery: a key element in the implementation of an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program

Surgical site infection rates are among 5-35% in all gynecologic oncology procedures. Such infections lead to increased patient morbidity, reduction in quality of life, higher likelihood of readmissions, and reinterventions, which contribute directly to mortality and increase in health-related costs. Some of these are potentially preventable by applying evidence-based strategies in the peri-operative patient setting. The objective of this review is to provide recommendations for the individual components that most commonly comprise the surgical site infection prevention bundles that could be implemented in gynecologic oncology procedures. We searched articles from relevant publications with specific topics related to each surgical site infection intervention chosen to be reviewed. Studies on each topic were selected with an emphasis on meta-analyses, systematic reviews, randomized control studies, non-randomized controlled studies, reviews, clinical practice guidelines, and case series. Data synthesis was done through content and thematic analysis to identify key themes in the included studies. This review intends to serve as the most up-to-date frame of evidence-based peri-operative care in our specialty and could serve as the first initiative to introduce an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program.

Implementing a Bundle to Improve Surgical Site Infection Rates for Patients Undergoing Nonvaginal-Approach Hysterectomy at a Midwestern Teaching Hospital

Accrediting organizations, third-party payers, and patients review the surgical site infection (SSI) rates of health care organizations. Infection preventionists collaborate with perioperative personnel to decrease SSI rates; they also monitor and report SSI information to national organizations. The standard infection ratio is a comparison of the observed number of SSIs to the predicted number of SSIs based on national benchmark data. Leaders of a midwestern teaching hospital convened an interdisciplinary team (eg, surgeons, perioperative leaders, infection preventionists) to address a standard infection ratio after hysterectomies that was greater than 1.0. The team reviewed national guidelines and published articles on decreasing SSIs (including recommendations for vaginal preparation) before developing and implementing a hysterectomy-specific bundle for SSI prevention. The rate of SSIs decreased 68% after the implementation of the bundle. Perioperative personnel at this facility continue to use the bundle and infection preventionists monitor and report compliance with the bundle's elements.

Clinical-Psychological Aspects Involved in Gynecological Surgery: Description of Peri-Operative Psychopathological Symptoms and Illness Behavior

Background

Within the current literature concerning the gynecological surgery, there are only a few studies that focus on the psychological aspects that characterize the peri-operative period. In this research, the psychopathological symptoms and the illness behavior were assessed in order to confirm previous results about clinical variables such as the type and method of intervention, as well as psychological aspects regarding the positive anamnesis for mental disorders. Moreover, other factors including the desire for maternity and previous surgical interventions and pregnancies were also investigated.

Methods

In this observational research, 58 women (age = 41.5±8.8), that undergone gynecological surgery (conservative and non-conservative) for benign pathologies, were consecutively recruited. Information on psychopathological symptoms was collected 15 days (T0) and one day before surgery (T1), and at the time of discharge (T2) through the Symptom Questionnaire (SQ). At T2, the Illness Behavior Questionnaire (IBQ) was also administered.

Results

The descriptive analyzes conducted on the total sample demonstrated that while anxious activation and irritable mood decrease from T0 to T1, somatizations and depression mood increase between T1 and T2. Moreover, the comparisons between groups, dividing the sample according to the clinical-medical and psychological variables, highlighted that the type and modality of the intervention, as well as a positive history for the presence of psychological disorders, the desire for maternity, and previous surgical interventions and pregnancies, can influence the course of psychopathological symptoms.

Conclusion

This study highlights the need to include a clinical-psychological evaluation and to pay attention to specific clinical variables regarding women that are undergoing a conservative or non-conservative gynecological surgery. Considering the psychological impact of these type of interventions, the clinical history of these women, as well as their fears and desires, could facilitate a better management of the patients in terms of well-being, adherence to treatment, and recovery.

Assessment of risk and economic burden of surgical site infection (SSI) posthysterectomy using a U.S. longitudinal database

BACKGROUND

Surgical site infection posthysterectomy has significant impact on patient morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. This study evaluates incidence, risk factors, and total payer costs of surgical site infection after hysterectomy in commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid populations using a nationwide claims database.

METHODS

IBM MarketScan databases identified women having hysterectomy between 2014 and 2018. Deep-incisional/organ space (DI/OS) and superficial infections were identified over 6 months postoperatively with risk factors and direct infection-associated payments by insurance type over a 24-month postoperative period.

RESULTS

Analysis identified 141,869 women; 7.8% Medicaid, 5.8% Medicare, and 3.9% commercially insured women developed deep-incisional/organ space surgical site infection, whereas 3.9% Medicaid, 3.2% Medicare, and 2.1% commercially insured women developed superficial infection within 6 months of index procedure. Deep-incisional/organ space risk factors were open approach (hazard ratio, 1.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-1.8) and payer type (Medicaid versus commercial [hazard ratio, 1.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-1.5]); superficial risk factors were payer type (Medicaid versus commercial [hazard ratio, 1.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-1.6]) and solid tumor without metastasis (hazard ratio, 1.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-1.6). Highest payments occurred with Medicare ($44,436, 95% confidence interval: $33,967-$56,422) followed by commercial ($27,140, 95% confidence interval: $25,990-$28,317) and Medicaid patients ($17,265, 95% confidence interval: $15,247-$19,426) for deep-incisional/organ space infection at 24-month posthysterectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Real-world cost of managing superficial, deep-incisional/organ space infection after hysterectomy was significantly higher than previously reported. Surgical approach, payer type, and comorbid risk factors contributed to increased risk of infection and economic burden. Medicaid patients experienced the highest risk of infection, followed by Medicare patients. The study suggests adoption of a robust evidence-based surgical care bundle to mitigate risk of surgical site infection and economic burden is warranted.

Surgical site infections in gynecology: the latest evidence for prevention and management

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Surgical site infection (SSI) remains one of the most common postoperative surgical complications. Prevention and appropriate treatment remain paramount.

RECENT FINDINGS

Evidence-based recommendations include recognition and reduction of preoperative risks including hyperglycemia and smoking, treatment of preexisting infections, skin preparation with chlorhexidine gluconate, proper use of preoperative antibiotics, and implementation of prevention bundles. Consideration should be given to the use of dual antibiotic preoperative treatment with cephazolin and metronidazole for all hysterectomies.

SUMMARY

Despite advancements, SSI in gynecologic surgery remains a major cause of perioperative morbidity and healthcare cost. Modifiable risk factors should be evaluated and patients optimized to the best extent possible prior to surgery. Preoperative risks include obesity, hyperglycemia, smoking, and untreated preexisting infections. Intraoperative risk-reducing strategies include appropriate perioperative antibiotics, correct topical preparation, maintaining normothermia, and minimizing blood loss. Additionally, early recognition and prompt treatment of SSI remain crucial.

Enhanced Recovery and Surgical Optimization Protocol for Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery: An AAGL White Paper

This is the first Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) guideline dedicated to standardizing and optimizing perioperative care for women undergoing minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. The guideline was rigorously formulated by an American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists Task Force of US and Canadian gynecologic surgeons with special interest and experience in adapting ERAS practices for patients requiring minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. It builds on the 2016 ERAS Society recommendations for perioperative care in gynecologic/oncologic surgery by serving as a more comprehensive reference for minimally invasive endoscopic and vaginal surgery for both benign and malignant gynecologic conditions. For example, the section on preoperative optimization provides more specific recommendations derived from the ambulatory surgery and anesthesia literature for the management of anemia, hyperglycemia, and obstructive sleep apnea. Recommendations pertaining to multimodal analgesia account for the recent Food and Drug Administration warnings about respiratory depression from gabapentinoids. The guideline focuses on workflows important to high-value care in minimally invasive surgery, such as same-day discharge, and tackles controversial issues in minimally invasive surgery, such as thromboprophylaxis. In these ways, the guideline supports the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists and our collective mission to elevate the quality and safety of healthcare for women through excellence in clinical practice.

[Evaluation of compliance with the antibiotic prophylaxis protocol in hysterectomy. Prospective cohort study]

Objetivo

Las infecciones relacionadas con la asistencia sanitaria (IRAS) son un problema de salud pública, siendo las infecciones de localización quirúrgica (ILQ) las más frecuentes a nivel hospitalario. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de la adecuación de la profilaxis antibiótica en la incidencia de infección quirúrgica en pacientes histerectomizadas.

Material y métodos

Se realizó un estudio de cohortes prospectivo entre octubre de 2009 y diciembre de 2018. Se estudió la incidencia de ILQ durante los primeros 30 días tras la cirugía. Se evaluó el grado de adecuación de la profilaxis antibiótica en histerectomía y el efecto de su inadecuación en la incidencia de infección con el riesgo relativo (RR) ajustado mediante un modelo de regresión logística.

Resultados

Se estudiaron 1.025 intervenciones en 1.022 mujeres. La incidencia acumulada de ILQ fue del 2,1% (n=22) y la etiología más frecuente Escherichia coli (23,1%) y Proteus mirabilis (23,1%). La profilaxis antibiótica estaba indicada en 1.014 intervenciones (98,9%) administrándose en 1.009 de ellas (99,5%), con una adecuación general al protocolo del 92,5%. La causa principal de no cumplimiento fue el tiempo de inicio (40,9%), seguida por la elección del antibiótico (35,2%). El efecto de la inadecuación de la profilaxis sobre la incidencia de infección fue de RR=0,9; IC95% 0,2-3,9; p>0,05.

Conclusiones

La adecuación de la profilaxis antibiótica fue muy alta, con una baja incidencia de infección quirúrgica. No se encontró asociación entre adecuación de la profilaxis e incidencia de infección en histerectomía. Se debe insistir en la mejora continua de la vigilancia epidemiológica en ginecología.

Prevention of Surgical Site Infections in Gynecologic Surgery: A Review of Risk Factors and Recommendations

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a type of health care-associated infection that can cause significant patient harm. Many are preventable. Postoperative courses complicated by an SSI can equate to longer hospital stays, lost time from work, and the need for reoperation. Methods: This review addresses types of SSIs, risk factors, and best practices for preventing SSIs associated with gynecologic surgery. Results: Best practices to reduce SSIs are divided into preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative activities. Preoperative considerations include patient showering, hair removal, glycemic control, and hand and forearm scrub. Intraoperative concerns are antibiotic prophylaxis, skin preparation prior to the start of surgery, and the operating room environment. Postoperative concerns are surgical dressing, vacuum-assisted wound closure, and patient instructions. Conclusion: Best practices should be established and followed to reduce the risk of SSI associated with gynecologic surgery.

Safety Bundles in Gynecology

Patient safety bundles and checklists have been shown to improve outcomes in medicine, surgery, and obstetrics. Until recently, there has been less study into their use in the gynecology setting. Here, we review the available evidence and examples of successful checklist and bundle implementation in gynecology and encourage more robust implementation and standardization in our field going forward.

Timing of staples and dressing removal after cesarean delivery (the SCARR study)

OBJECTIVE

To investigate optimal timing of dressing and staples removal after cesarean delivery (CD).

METHODS

This prospective clustered clinical trial enrolled women undergoing CD between January 1, 2013, and October 31, 2014, at Hadassah-Hebrew University Hospital, Jerusalem. Women were assigned to one of five clusters differing in timing of dressing and staples removal. We assessed scar healing at 6 weeks.

RESULTS

920 women completed telephone questionnaires. Wound healing did not differ significantly among the clusters: the healing complication rate was 21% in the control group (n=46) and ranged from 18% to 26% (n=27-50) in clusters two to five (P=0.49). More healing complications were observed in women with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 35 kg/m² versus 35 kg/m² or less (P=0.016), urgent versus elective CD (P=0.013), preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM) versus intact membranes (P=0.016), and chorioamnionitis at delivery versus no chorioamnionitis (P=0.001). 586 (64%) women underwent physician assessment at staples removal and at 6 weeks post CD.

CONCLUSIONS

Timing of dressing and staples removal has no effect on CD scar healing in low- and high-risk parturients. A BMI of more than 35 kg/m² , urgent CD, PPROM, and chorioamnionitis were associated with mal-healing, regardless of cluster. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01724255.

Surgical technical evidence review for gynecologic surgery conducted for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Safety Program for Improving Surgical Care and Recovery

BACKGROUND

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, in partnership with the American College of Surgeons and the Armstrong Institute at Johns Hopkins, developed the Safety Program for Improving Surgical Care and Recovery, which integrates principles of implementation science into adoption of enhanced recovery pathways and promotes evidence-based perioperative care.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to review the enhanced recovery pathways literature in gynecologic surgery and provide the framework for an Improving Surgical Care and Recovery pathway for gynecologic surgery.

STUDY DESIGN

We searched PubMed and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases from 1990 through October 2017. Studies were included in hierarchical and chronological order: meta-analyses, systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, and interventional and observational studies. Enhanced recovery pathways components relevant to gynecologic surgery were identified through review of existing pathways. A PubMed search for each component was performed in gynecologic surgery and expanded to include colorectal surgery as needed to have sufficient evidence to support or deter a process. This review focuses on surgical components; anesthesiology components are reported separately in a companion article in the anesthesiology literature.

RESULTS

Fifteen surgical components were identified: patient education, bowel preparation, elimination of nasogastric tubes, minimization of surgical drains, early postoperative mobilization, early postoperative feeding, early intravenous fluid discontinuation, early removal of urinary catheters, use of laxatives, chewing gum, peripheral mu antagonists, surgical site infection reduction bundle, glucose management, and preoperative and postoperative venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. In addition, 14 components previously identified in the colorectal Improving Surgical Care and Recovery pathway review were included in the final pathway.

CONCLUSION

Evidence and existing guidelines support 29 protocol elements for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Safety Program for Improving Surgical Care and Recovery in gynecologic surgery.

Implementation of an abdominal closure bundle to reduce surgical site infection in patients on a gynecologic oncology service undergoing exploratory laparotomy

OBJECTIVE

Surgical site infections (SSI) are associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. This study investigated whether implementation of an abdominal closure bundle reduces surgical site infection rates. We aimed to identify sub-populations that would benefit the most from this intervention.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all patients that underwent exploratory laparotomy by a Gynecologic Oncologist from January 1, 2011 to April 1, 2017. The abdominal closure bundle was implemented on May 6, 2014. SSI rates were assessed overall and within subgroups.

RESULTS

875 patients were included in the analysis. Overall, SSI rate was reduced, albeit not significantly, from 48/471 (10.2%) to 32/404 (7.9%) (p=0.148) with implementation of the closing bundle. In patients that underwent a tumor debulking procedure, SSI was noted in 36/277 (13.0%) in the pre-bundle group and 14/208 (6.7%) in the post-bundle cohort (p=0.017). In patients with malignant pathology, the pre-bundle cohort had an SSI rate of 38/282 (13.5%), which reduced to 18/215 (8.4%) in the post-bundle group (p=0.049). In patients with FIGO stage III or IV disease, the SSI rate was reduced from 21/114 (18.4%) to 8/87 (8.4%) with implantation of the closure bundle (p=0.028). In patients with intra-operative ascites, SSI rate decreased from 19/119 (15.9%) pre-bundle to 4/104 (3.8%) in the post-bundle group (p=0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of an abdominal closure bundle was not associated with a significant reduction in overall SSI rate. However, multiple subpopulations associated with advanced gynecologic cancer benefited from this intervention.

Simple Operating Room Bundle Reduces Superficial Surgical Site Infections After Major Urologic Surgery

OBJECTIVE

To reduce our superficial surgical site infection rate following major urologic surgery by implementing a simple operating room bundle.

METHODS

A simple operating room bundle was applied to all major urologic cases (cystectomy, nephrectomy, and prostatectomy) at a single tertiary referral center. The bundle included allowing skin prep to dry appropriately, changing gloves before skin closure, irrigating the wound before skin closure, and using a new separate sterile closing instrument set for skin closure. Alcohol-based preps were also introduced hospital-wide 3 months into the study period. The SSI rate was obtained from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database.

RESULTS

The surgical site infection (SSI) rate was assessed after a 14-month study period for a total of 510 cases. Before instituting the alcohol-based prep, but after the bundle was implemented, 138 cases were analyzed over a 3-month period with an SSI rate of 0%. For the remaining 11 months with both the alcohol-based prep and the infection prevention bundle in place, the infection rate was 1.37% (7/510) as compared with 3.57% (22/615) for the 12-month period before bundle introduction, a statistically significant reduction (P = .023).

CONCLUSION

The SSI rate after major urologic surgery at 1 center was reduced after the introduction of a simple, fast, low-cost, and easily reproducible bundle into the operating room. The use of this bundle reduces SSI, which is critical for the patient and the physician in this era of public reporting and reimbursement based on outcomes.

Surgical-site infection in gynecologic surgery: pathophysiology and prevention

Surgical-site infections (SSIs) represent a well-known cause of patient morbidity as well as added health care costs. In gynecologic surgery, particularly hysterectomy, SSIs are often the result of a number of risk factors that may or may not be modifiable. As both the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services and the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations have identified SSIs as a patient safety priority, gynecologic surgeons continue to seek out the most effective interventions for SSI prevention. This review studies the epidemiology and pathophysiology of SSIs in gynecologic surgery and evaluates the current literature regarding possible interventions for SSI prevention, both as individual measures and as bundles. Data from the obstetrical and general surgery literature will be reviewed when gynecological data are either unclear or unavailable. Practitioners and hospitals may use this information as they develop strategies for SSI prevention in their own practice.

Surgical site infection reduction bundle in patients with gynecologic cancer undergoing colon surgery

OBJECTIVE

Surgical site infections (SSIs) can lead to substantial morbidity, prolonged hospitalization, increased costs, and death in patients undergoing colorectal procedures. We sought to investigate the effect of using an SSI reduction bundle on the rate of SSIs in gynecologic cancer patients undergoing colon surgery.

METHODS

We identified all gynecologic cancer patients who underwent colon resection at our institution from 2014 to 2016, during which time a service-wide SSI reduction bundle was introduced. The intervention included preoperative oral antibiotics with optional mechanical bowel preparation, skin preparation with antibacterial solution, and the use of a separate surgical closing tray. SSI rates were assessed within 30days post-surgery.

RESULTS

Of 233 identified patients, 115 had undergone colon surgery prior to (PRE) and 118 after (POST) the implementation of the intervention. A low anterior resection was the most common colon surgery in both cohorts. The incidence of SSI within 30days of surgery was 43/115 (37%) in the PRE and 14/118 (12%) in the POST cohorts (p≤0.001). Wound dehiscence was noted in 30/115 (26%) and 2/118 (2%) patients, respectively (p≤0.001). In patients whose operation took longer than 360min, 30-day SSI rates were 37% (28/76) and 12% (8/67), respectively (p≤0.001). In patients with an estimated blood loss >500cm³, SSI rates were 44% (27/62) and 15% (10/67), respectively (p≤0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation of an SSI reduction bundle was associated with a significant reduction in 30-day SSIs in these patients. The intervention remained effective in patients undergoing longer operations and in those with increased blood loss.