Abstract
The pediatric population undergoes surgical intervention daily, putting them at risk for a multitude of complications. Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) are a preventable complication that can be reduced through pre-operative bathing (CDC, 2010; Agency for Healthcare AHRQ, 2019). Policy implementation and nursing education for pre-operative bathing are effective ways to reduce SSIs in the pediatric population (Solutions for Patient Safety, 2019).|Purpose: The purpose of this project was to reduce SSIs in the pediatric population of an adult and pediatric Midwestern surgical center through the development and implementation of a pre-operative bathing policy amendment.|Design: The current Skin Antisepsis Policy was amended using the current evidence based practice literature to include pre-operative bathing for adult and pediatric patients at a Midwestern surgical center. Education was provided virtually and made available to three departments including pre-operative, pre-admissions, and inpatient nurses. Education efficacy was measured through a pre and post education quiz. Laminated information cards with directions for pre-operative physician preferences were distributed to computers on wheels and desktop computers as a resource for specific pre-operative bathing orders. Compliance with the new policy was evaluated through chart audit to identify the number of surgical patients and if appropriate pre-operative bathing orders were entered.|Findings: Pre and post education quiz scores showed overall increased knowledge with average scores increasing from 80% to 93%. There was increase or no change in scores for seven out of eight questions. Chart audits for compliance show that correct orders were more frequently placed post education 87% (n=86) compared to pre-education 74% (n=67).|Implications for Practice: This quality improvement project shows that nursing knowledge of pre-operative bathing can be improved through education. The long-term outcome for this project will include monitoring surgical site infection frequency following the implementation of the updated policy.