Graduation Semester and Year
Fall 2025
Language
English
Document Type
DNP Project
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Department
Nursing
First Advisor
Adele Cunningham
Abstract
Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a common and preventable complication after colorectal procedures, significantly impacting patient morbidity and increasing healthcare costs. This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to lower SSIs in adult colorectal surgery patients by implementing a perioperative SSI reduction bundle at a large acute care facility in North Texas. The intervention targeted three modifiable risk factors: perioperative hypothermia, hyperglycemia, and incorrect antibiotic timing. Despite established protocols, institutional data revealed subpar compliance with active warming (46%), blood glucose control (52%), and antibiotic stewardship (75%), all of which fell below national benchmarks. A gap analysis and literature review guided the development of an evidence-based SSI bundle, which includes active warming, blood glucose monitoring every two hours both during and after surgery and administering prophylactic antibiotics within one hour of an incision during anesthetic induction.
Using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework, this initiative involved certified registered nurse anesthetists, anesthesiologists, and residents in the perioperative unit to implement and evaluate the bundle over an eight-week period. The project aims to increase adherence to evidence-based practices and reduce the rate of SSI. The project underscores the importance of multidisciplinary adherence to perioperative protocols and supports the integration of bundled enhancements to improve surgical outcomes for patients undergoing colorectal surgery.
Keywords
Surgical site infection, SSI prevention, infection control, perioperative care, patient safety, evidence-based protocol, preoperative antibiotics, antibiotic prophylaxis, glycemic management, active warming.
Disciplines
Perioperative, Operating Room and Surgical Nursing
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Roland, Flatasha A., "Perioperative Surgical Site Infection Reduction Bundle in Colorectal Patients" (2025). Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects. 108.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/nursing_dnpprojects/108