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From Our President and CEO

  • Christine Schuster welcomes you to our new website
Christine Schuster, CEO, Emerson Hospital
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Surgical Care Infection Prevention

Surgical infections remain a common complication of surgery. Surgical site infections account for approximately 40% of all hospital associated infections among surgical patients in the U.S. and 3% of all post-operative patients will develop infections. Using preventive measures, such as appropriate antibiotics before, during and up to 24 hours after surgery, clipping the operative site versus shaving and keeping the patient warm during the perioperative period have all been shown to reduce the likelihood of infection as a complication.

Prophylactic (Preventive) Antibiotic Received Within One Hour Prior to Surgery

What this means: This is a measure that shows the percentage of surgical patients that received prophylactic antibiotics within one hour prior to surgical incision.

Why this is important: Scientific studies show that patients who receive prophylactic antibiotics within one hour of surgery incision time can have reduced numbers of post-operative infections.

 

 

Prophylactic (Preventive) Antibiotic Selection for Surgical Patients

What this means: This is a measure that shows the percentage of surgical patients that received the appropriate prophylactic antibiotic for their specific surgical procedure.

Why this is important: The goal of administering prophylactic antibiotics for surgical patients is to use a drug that is safe, cost-effective and appropriate for the specific surgical procedure. This can greatly reduce the likelihood of post-surgical infection.

 

 

Prophylactic (Preventive) Antibiotics Discontinued Within 24 Hours of Surgery End Time

What this means: This measure shows the percentage of surgical patients that had their prophylactic antibiotics discontinued within 24 hours of surgery end time.

Why this is important: Patient outcome data has shown that administering prophylactic antibiotics for more than a few hours after the surgical incision is closed offers no additional benefit to the surgical patient. Prolonged administration can result in resistant strain bacteria. So, it is important to discontinue antibiotics in a timely fashion for the long term benefit of patients.

 

 

Venous Thromboembolism (Blood Clot) Prophylaxis Ordered for Surgical Patients

What this means: This measure shows the percentage of surgical patients that received the appropriate blood clotting prevention after a surgical procedure.

Why this is important: Patient outcome data has shown that venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis is the most effective strategy to reduce the risk of developing VTE (also known as a blood clot). A blood clot can be life threatening which is why this medication is critically important.

 

 

Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis Within 24 Hours Prior to Surgery to 24 Hours After Surgery

What this means: This is a measure that shows the percentage of surgical patients that received venous thromboembolism prophylaxis within 24 hours prior to surgery to 24 hours after surgery.

Why this is important: The recommended optimal start time of VTE prophylaxis for surgical procedures is 24 hours prior to surgery to 24 hours after surgery, in order to reduce the likelihood of blood clots from occurring.

 

Data collected by Hospital Compare

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