Process improvement plan for the reduction of sternal surgical site infections among patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Abstract

In an attempt to reduce sternal infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus , a protocol was introduced that included the administration of intranasal mupirocin calcium 2% before surgery to patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery. Surveillance data indicated a 55% reduction in the rate of deep sternal wound infections caused by S aureus and superficial sternal wound infections have declined from 25 to 6 since the adoption of the protocol. At the study institution, this protocol is now an ongoing process to reduce the incidence of sternal infections caused by S aureus among cardiothoracic patients. (Am J Infect Control 2002;30:434-6.)