Partners in Care: Patient Education for Preventing Surgical Site Infections (Program Nine)

The patient plays a vital role in preventing surgical site infections! Help your facility reduce SSIs by educating the patient on infection prevention strategies that they can practice both before and after surgery.

Samir Awad, MD

Patricia Byers, RM, M(ASCP), CIC

April Tracy, RN, BSN, IP

Vicki L. Brinsko, RN, BA, BSN, CIC

Shellie J. Tingle, MBA, BSN, RN, CRMST

Learning Objective: To educate patients on which organisms commonly cause surgical site infections, and outline pre- and post-operative practices in which the patient can participate to help reduce the chance of a surgical site infection

Preventing surgical site infections is a Joint Commission patient safety goal, and a requirement by CMS. By incorporating evidence based practices and providing patient education, facilities are more likely to increase compliance with preventative measures and thereby decrease rates of infection. Part of this practice includes asking the patient to prepare the skin with an antiseptic solution and administer a nasal ointment prior to surgery.

This program explains the rationale behind these practices in a clear, concise manner as well as provides step-by-step demonstrations.

After viewing this program the patient will be able to:

• Identify Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA as potentially dangerous organisms
• Describe the steps for preparing the skin pre-operatively with an antiseptic cleanser
• Describe the steps for applying antiseptic nasal ointment
• Outline infection prevention practices to follow in the home
• Identify infection prevention practices performed at the facility
• Describe the signs and symptoms of post-operative infection

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• Patient Education

This program funded in-part through an unrestricted educational grant provided by

On High Alert: Infection Prevention Practices for the Operating Room

15 minutes

A short, effective infection prevention training program for all healthcare professionals who provide pre-, intra-, or post-operative care to surgical patients.

Partners in Care Patient Education Series

Patients who take an active role in their treatment plan become part of the team helping not only to speed recovery but also to reduce medical errors. Presented in easy-to-understand language, this award winning series also helps meet the Joint Commission’s Patient Safety Standards!

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