Alexandria Fluellen
Surgical Skin Preparation
SchoolHorizon Science Academy • Cleveland, Ohio
ProgramScience Internship
MentorJacqueline Matthews
DepartmentDepartment of Quality, Cleveland Clinic
- Research
- Surgical Skin Preparation
- Hypothesis
- Data from the literature indicate that the development of a surgical site infection (SSI) increases hospital length of stay by median of two weeks, and that patients with SSIs developed after discharge are 2-5 times more likely to be readmitted to the hospital. The high morbidity and increased need for hospital care associated with SSIs contribute to increased healthcare costs. We hypothesized that lack of standardization might contribute to risk of developing an SSI.
- Methodology
- A literature review was performed, together with reviews of Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Joint Commission, and AORN policy and recommendations as to how surgical skin preparation is conducted for patients. A survey was implemented for healthcare staff to identify skin preparation procedures, OR procedures, concerns, and suggestions for improvement.
- Outcomes
- A wide variety of preparations routinely are performed in OR settings, correlating with increased rate of surgical site infections. The findings suggest that standardized surgical skin preparation protocols might reduce risk of surgical site infections. The Cleveland Clinic continues to aggressively investigate ways of improving techniques for surgical skin preparations.
