ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections (SSI) are a source of patient morbidity and increased cost. In 2007, our organization discovered an SSI rate of 18% after colorectal surgery (CRS), corresponding to an ACS NSQIP benchmarked high outlier. METHODS: From 2007 to 2016, surgeons championed a stepwise, multidisciplinary improvement pathway for SSI reduction. NSQIP was used to track SSI rates and estimate cost savings. RESULTS: From 2007 to 2016, 1508 patients underwent CRS at our facility. In 2007, our SSI rate was 18%. In 2016, the SSI rate was 7%, corresponding to a NSQIP benchmarked exemplary performance. 54 patients avoided the morbidity of a SSI. The expense of SSI reduction implementation was $180,000. Cost savings was estimated at $1.3 million. CONCLUSIONS: Our approach reduced SSI rates by 58% over ten years. We observed a significant morbidity reduction and cost savings. Our strategy could be adopted within other medical centers focused on CRS SSI improvement.
