Implementation of an evidence-based bundle to reduce surgical site infection after caesarean section - Review of the...

Surgical site infection (SSI) is the most common complication post caesarean section (CS) with a significant impact on women and health services. A bundle approach incorporating previously studied individual interventions has shown increased reductions in SSI.

To assess compliance with a SSI intervention bundle and to examine readmission rates for SSI.

A retrospective audit of women who underwent CS at a regional hospital in Queensland, Australia pre-intervention (February 2015-January 2017) and post-intervention (February 2018-December 2020).

There was good compliance with vaginal cleansing (27.7% vs 84.8%), chlorhexidine skin preparation (90.4% vs 98.4%), BMI-based antibiotic dose adjustment (48.8% vs 74.3%), and Alexis retractor use (9.9% vs 66%), pre and post-implementation periods respectively. There was a reduction in documented hair shaving (2.1% vs 0.5%). There was a trend towards less admission for SSI, a trend that could have been even better had there not been an increasing number of women with high BMI over the years. Fewer cases needed return to theatre post-implementation. Endometritis rates were unchanged.

Good compliance can be achieved with good collaboration. There was a reduction in admission rates for SSI. Larger prospective studies are needed to further examine these findings.