Implementation of Novel Perioperative Protocol for Reducing Surgical Site Infections in Gynecologic Surgical Procedures

Objective: The standardized infection ratio (SIR) is "the ratio of observed number of infections (events) to the predicted number of infections (events) for a summarized time period." Between 2019 and 2020, the SIR decreased by about 5%, according to the National Healthcare Safety Network's healthcare-associated infection progress report. Although surgical-site (SSI) infections decreased, they contribute notably to postoperative complications. Patients with SSIs are more likely to have longer hospital stays, increased morbidity, or die. Studies have explored SSI risk factors and prevention techniques; however, no studies combined known prevention techniques for perioperative management, including antibiotic prophylaxis, preoperative preparation, and postoperative irrigation. This study examined a cost-effective, systematic perioperative protocol for reducing SSIs.Materials and Methods: This prospective-cohort case-controlled study compared 2 perioperative management protocols between 2019 and 2020 to determine if implementation of new measures reduced the incidence rate of SSIs.Results: From 2019 through 2020, there was a reduced rate of SSIs. A linear-regression analysis showed an association of SSIs with malignancies and smoking. Even with the small number of SSIs that occurred, the length of hospital stay and readmission for these complications was significant while there was no mortality.Conclusions: The integrative novel protocol in this article should be explored by other members of the gynecologic surgical society with expanded research. (J GYNECOL SURG 20XX:000)