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Researchers sought to determine whether the application of evidence-based measures relating to the correct use of prophylactic antibiotics, perioperative normothermia, urinary tract catheterization and hand hygiene could boost infection prevention. To achieve this, researchers assessed the impact of these evidence-based measures on 69 operations involving fracture surgery and total joint arthroplasties.
The researchers found barely half of 59 patients received prophylaxis within the recommended time span, although patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty received more timely administration. In addition, 18 patients (53 percent) undergoing total joint arthroplasty were actively treated with a forced-air warming system, while 12 (34 percent) of patients undergoing fracture surgery were treated with the warming system. Finally, the researchers found a 10.3 percent overall adherence rate to hand hygiene.
The researchers concluded that simply adopting evidence-based measures is not enough to improve patient safety and other interventions should be implemented to boost compliance, particularly to hand hygiene practices.
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