Reviewed by Clare Marlin, MS, BSN, CIC, Shirley Ryan Ability Lab
From April 2022 through April 2023, Nikolic et al. performed a prospective cohort study with a before and after approach to assess the implementation of a patient-focused perioperative prevention bundle on the incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) (diagnosed as an infection within 30 days of the operation) in patients undergoing colorectal surgery. The bundle’s use called for active engagement from both healthcare team members and patients.
The bundle was composed of elements including patient instructions pre-operatively from a nurse, written education with supplemental verbal education from the researchers, preoperative and postoperative bathing instructions and bathing supplies, and a required glove change before fascial (i.e. abdominal layers) closure by the surgical team.
The researchers concluded that the bundle’s use significantly reduced the total SSI rate, though the decrease in deep and organ-space SSIs was not statistically significant. Additionally, rates of rehospitalization within 30 days of surgery decreased and there was 100% compliance with the bundle’s implementation by both patients, via self-report and direct observation measures, and healthcare team members.
Expansion of the this bundle to additional centers with a larger patient population would provide additional data on the use of a this patient-focused bundle approach to colorectal perioperative infection prevention and call for expanding the use of digital technology for patient engagement.
Reference:
Nikolic, V., Markovic-Denic, L., Kmezic, S., Radovanovic, A., Nektarijevic, D., Djokic-Kovac, J., Knezevic, D., & Antic, A. (2025). Empowering patients through a perioperative prevention bundle to reduce surgical site infections in colorectal surgery. American Journal of Infection Control, 53(7), 753–759. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2025.03.151