Interdisciplinary strategies to reduce surgical site infections in operating rooms: a scoping review

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are among the most frequent healthcare-associated infections, causing major morbidity, mortality and costs. In Switzerland, SSIs represent up to 30% of hospital-acquired infections, yet adherence to prevention measures remains suboptimal.

To map research on interdisciplinary strategies for SSI prevention and assess their impact on adherence and outcomes.

Scoping review following Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines.

CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE and Cochrane Library (2016-2026), plus manual searches. English and French studies included.

Using the Participants-Concept-Context framework: surgical teams with ≥3 professional groups (participants), interdisciplinary strategies targeting SSI prevention (concept), adult surgical procedures in the OR (context). Experimental, quasi-experimental, observational and cross-sectional designs were eligible.

Data were charted using a WHO-informed tool. Five reviewers appraised studies with Joanna Briggs Institute checklists. Results synthesised narratively.

From 2058 records, 22 studies were included across 9 countries and 8 specialties, mostly high-income settings. Bundled interventions were associated with improved adherence and reductions in SSI rates of up to 50%. Success depended on leadership, collaboration, audit-feedback and contextual adaptation. No study reported coordination triggers or nursing frameworks; patient involvement was mainly informational.

Interdisciplinary bundles improve adherence and reduce SSI rates but show variable effectiveness. No defined model ensures consistent gains. Future research should integrate synchronisation mechanisms, triggers and structured task-sharing to strengthen sustainability and impact.