Usage of a Bundle Application Process in Decreasing Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Infections

AIM: To determine the effect of using three concurrent measures (2% chlorhexidine gluconate +70% alcohol for skin cleaning, changing the dressing every 48hours, and observing the operating room) for patients who had venriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) implantations on the infection rate. MATERIAL and METHODS: This was a prospective interventional study. Using infection prevention compliance control lists, patients who had a VPS implanted between November 2012 and November 2013 were compared to those who had a VPS implanted between October 2011 and October 2012. The data included information about the patients, follow-up, and infection prevention. These data were obtained for the pre-, peri-, and postoperative periods. RESULTS: Triple bundle prevention in the applied protocol significantly reduced the VPS infection rate in the study group compared to the control group (p<0.005). CONCLUSION: These findings revealed the importance of creating a prevention protocol and following it regularly in a way for all surgery, operating room, and service teams fully comply to prevent VPS infections.