A perioperative nurse is implementing the surgical site infection (SSI) prevention bundle for a patient undergoing colon surgery. Which interventions are evidence-based components of the bundle? Select all that apply.
Select All That Apply
Choose your responses, then check the answer.
Explanation
Options 1, 2, 4, and 5 are evidence-based SSI-prevention measures: avoid hair removal unless necessary and use clippers rather than razors; administer prophylactic antibiotics within the protocol window and re-dose when indicated; maintain normothermia and adequate oxygenation; and monitor and manage perioperative hyperglycemia. Option 3 is incorrect because razor shaving can create microabrasions that increase infection risk.
The most-tested SSI traps: (1) shaving with a razor causes microabrasions and SSI — use clippers instead; (2) hypothermia worsens SSI rates so warm the patient; (3) hyperglycemia (even in non-diabetics) increases SSI by impairing neutrophils. The 60-minute antibiotic window is a quality measure tracked by SCIP.
Patient prepared for elective colon surgery. The unit follows the SCIP / IHI surgical site infection prevention bundle with daily compliance audits and SSI surveillance.
SSI prevention bundle — SCIP and IHI bundle including antibiotic timing, glycemic control, hair removal with clippers, normothermia, oxygen.
Perioperative normothermia — Core temperature ≥ 36.0 C; reduces SSI by maintaining neutrophil function and tissue perfusion.
Clipping vs shaving — Clippers cause fewer microabrasions; razors are associated with higher SSI rates and have been removed from preferred practice.