increased, the whole project gained momentum and expanded."
Stress to surgeons that improved prepping practices not only benefit
patient care, but also pad their stats. "Surgeons are mindful of their
own SSI rates, and recognize applying skin preps properly is low-
hanging fruit," says Dr. Trivedi.
Striving for perfection
In November 2018, UTSW conducted a follow-up audit of the staff's
prepping practices and saw marked improvements across the board.
Staff met the 30-second application time for CHG-alcohol preps 50%
of the time, a 44% increase from the initial audit, and dry-time compli-
ance increased from 48% to 84%. Overall prep time compliance for
CHG-alcohol, aqueous CHG and povidone-iodine products increased
from 4% to 39%, and dry time compliance for the 3 prep types jumped
from 42% to 82%.
Those are significant and impressive increases, but efforts to
improve the prepping practices at UTSW are ongoing.
"We're relentless and persistent," says Ms. Hasnain. "Are we at
100%? No, not yet. Do we need to be? Every facility should aim for
that goal."
OSM
J U L Y 2 0 1 9 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 7 3