PreciSSIon - a collaborative initiative to reduce surgical site infection after elective colorectal surgery

Surgical site infection prevention care bundles in colorectal surgery: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Surgical site infection (SSI) prevention bundles have been used to reduce infection rates in most types of surgery. Bundles tailored to colorectal surgery have been used with success.

AIM

To identify and review the individual interventions that constitute each SSI prevention care bundle in colorectal surgery, and the reduction in SSI rate associated with their implementation.

METHODS

A scoping review was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus in December 2022.

RESULTS

This review analysed 48 of 164 identified studies on SSI prevention in colorectal surgery from 2011 to 2022. It revealed an average of 11 interventions per study, primarily in the pre-operative [mechanical bowel preparation, oral antibiotic bowel decontamination, hair removal, chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) shower, normoglycaemia], intra-operative (antibiotic prophylaxis, normothermia, CHG skin preparation, antibiotic prophylaxis re-dosing, gown/glove change) and postoperative (normothermia, normoglycaemia, dressing removal, oxygen optimization, incision cleansing) periods. Despite these interventions, SSI rates remain high, indicating a need for further research to optimize intervention bundles and improve compliance across surgical stages.

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation of SSI prevention bundles, tailored to colorectal surgery, has shown a reduction in SSI rates and costs. Grouping interventions according to the peri-operative phase may increase compliance.

Digital tools for post-discharge surveillance of surgical site infection

AIMS

Conduct a scoping review on the development and use of digital tools for post-discharge surgical site infection surveillance.

DESIGN

Scoping review.

DATA SOURCES

Science Direct, PubMed, Embase, Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature were searched from 2013 to May 2022. Six intellectual property registries were reviewed from 2013 to 2022.

REVIEW METHODS

The review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute model, and included intellectual property records (applications, prototypes and software) and scientific articles published in any language on the development and/or testing of digital tools for post-discharge surveillance of surgical site infection among surgical patients aged 18 and over.

RESULTS

One intellectual property record and 13 scientific articles were identified, covering 10 digital tools. The intellectual property record was developed and registered by a China educational institution in 2018. The majority of manuscripts were prospective cohort studies and randomized clinical trials, published between 2016 and 2022, and more than half were conducted in the United States. The population included adult patients undergoing cardiac, thoracic, vascular, abdominal, arthroplasty and caesarean surgery. The main functionalities of the digital tools were the previously prepared questionnaire, the attachment of a wound image, the integrated Web system and the evaluation of data by the health team, with post-discharge surgical site infection surveillance time between 14 and 30 days after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Digital tools show promise for the surveillance of surgical site infection, collaborating with the early detection of wound infection.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE

Mobile technology was favourable for detecting surgical site infections, reducing unnecessary visits to the health service, and increasing patient satisfaction.

IMPACT

Technological advances in the health area open new perspectives for post-discharge surveillance of surgical site infection. WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN?: There is underreporting of surgical site infections due to difficulties related to traditional methods of post-discharge surveillance. The use of digital tools within surgical site infection surveillance is increasing. Benefits of using digital tools within surgical site infection surveillance have been reported. WHAT HAS THIS STUDY ADDED TO OUR KNOWLEDGE?: This scoping review is one of the first to analyse the development and use of digital tools for post-discharge surveillance of surgical site infection in different countries. The main functionalities of digital tools are: structured questionnaires; attachment of wound images; integrated web systems; and evaluation of data by professionals. The use of mobile technology is favourable for detecting surgical site infections with a reduction in costs from face-to-face consultations and increased patient satisfaction. WHERE AND ON WHOM WILL THE RESEARCH HAVE AN IMPACT?: Healthcare providers can successfully use digital tools for surgical site infection post-discharge surveillance. Remote monitoring can reduce unnecessary patient visits to healthcare facilities. Policy makers can study how to implement digital platforms for remote patient monitoring.

REPORTING METHOD

PRISMA statement for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR).

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

No patient or public contribution.

TRIAL AND PROTOCOL REGISTRATION

The study protocol was registered in the OSF (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/BA8D6).