6 0 S U P P L E M E N T T O O U T P A T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E M A Y 2 0 1 6
What is the perioperative surgical home (PSH) model?
It's a patient-centered and physician-led multidisciplinary team-
based system of coordinated care that guides patients through
the surgical experience, from deciding on the need for surgery to
discharge from a medical facility and return to normal func-
tion. The model aims to transform surgical care by improv-
ing clinical outcomes, enhancing patient involvement and
lowering costs.
How does that apply to
improving infection control efforts?
It calls for the development of clinical pathways and stan-
dardization of the entire perioperative episode of care.
Optimization of underlying conditions such as diabetes, pre-
habilitation with improved nutrition and identifying patients
at high risk of developing SSIs are a few of the benefits. Of
course, 100% adherence to the perioperative administra-
tion of antibiotics is another obvious component. Patient
education and engagement with the perioperative
process will also lower SSI rates.
You've mentioned that change
demands a sense of urgency. Why?
About 70% of change initiatives fail in all indus-
tries, including health care. John Kotter, a
Harvard Business School professor and a
foremost expert on this topic, has indicated that much of that high rate of fail-
urning Platforms, Coordinated Care
and SSI Prevention
B
Zeev Kain, MD, PhD
Anesthesiologist and perioperative surgical home proponent
