Effect of preop patient-centered surgical wellness program

Editor's Note

In this study, a preoperative, patient-centered wellness program significantly reduced hospital acquired infections in surgical patients at an academic medical center.

A total of 12,396 surgical patients were given a wellness bundle in a roller bag during preoperative screening. The bundle included chlorhexidine bath solution, immuno-nutrition supplements, an incentive spirometer, topical mupirocin for the nostrils, and smoking cessation information. These patients were compared with patients in a nonintervention group.

The wellness bundle intervention group had statistically significant reductions in surgical site, Clostridium difficile, and catheter associated urinary tract infections, as well as patient safety indicator 90 (Patient Safety and Adverse Events Composite for ICD-9-CM).

Preoperative wellness efforts can significantly decrease the risk of hospital acquired infections, the authors say.