Empowering the surgical patient: a randomized, prospective analysis of an innovative strategy for improving patient compliance with preadmission showering protocol. J Am Coll Surg 2014 Aug;219(2):256-64
Date
06/02/2014Pubmed ID
24880956DOI
10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2014.01.061Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84904650021 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 24 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are responsible for significant morbidity, mortality, and excess use of health care resources. The preadmission antiseptic shower is accepted as an effective strategy for reducing the risk for SSIs. The study analyzes the benefit of an innovative electronic patient alert system (EAS) for enhancing compliance with a preadmission showering protocol with 4% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG).
STUDY DESIGN: After providing informed consent, 80 volunteers were randomized to 4 CHG showering groups. Groups A1 and A2 showered twice. Group A1 was prompted to shower via EAS. Groups B1 and B2 showered 3 times. Group B1 was prompted via EAS. Subjects in groups A2 and B2 were not prompted (non-EAS groups). Skin-surface concentrations of CHG (μg/mL) were analyzed using colorimetric assay at 5 separate anatomic sites. Study personnel were blinded to the randomization code; after final volunteer processing, the code was broken and individual groups were analyzed.
RESULTS: Mean composite CHG skin-surface concentrations were significantly higher (p < 0.007) in EAS groups A1 (30.9 ± 8.8 μg/mL) and B1 (29.0 ± 8.3 μg/mL) compared with non-EAS groups A2 (10.5 ± 3.9 μg/mL) and B2 (9.5 ± 3.1 μg/mL). Overall, 66% and 67% reductions in CHG skin-surface concentrations were observed in non-EAS groups A2 and B2 compared with EAS study groups. Analysis of returned (unused) CHG (mL) suggests that a wide variation in volume of biocide was used per shower in all groups.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that EAS was effective in enhancing patient compliance with a preadmission showering protocol, resulting in a significant (p < 0.007) increase in skin-surface concentrations of CHG compared with non-EAS controls. However, variation in amount of unused 4% CHG suggests that rigorous standardization is required to maximize the benefits of this patient-centric interventional strategy.
Author List
Edmiston CE Jr, Krepel CJ, Edmiston SE, Spencer M, Lee C, Brown KR, Lewis BD, Rossi PJ, Malinowski M, Seabrook GAuthors
Kellie R. Brown MD Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of WisconsinBrian D. Lewis MD Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Michael Malinowski MD Associate Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Peter J. Rossi MD Chief, Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultAnti-Infective Agents, Local
Baths
Diffusion of Innovation
Female
Humans
Male
Patient Compliance
Preoperative Care
Prospective Studies
Soaps
Surgical Wound Infection
