Improving Surgical Site Infections: Using National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Data to Institute Surgical Care Improvement Project Protocols in Improving Surgical Outcomes

BACKGROUND: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) began with the Veterans Affairs system to reduce morbidity and mortality by evaluating preoperative risk factors, postoperative occurrences, mortality reports, surgical site infections, and patient variable statistics. Our institution enrolled in NSW July 2006. The Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP) was developed to reduce surgical complications, including surgical infections. We began instituting SCIP protocols in July 2007. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective review of the NSQIP data collected by our NSQIP nurse. The colorectal surgical site infection (SSI) data pre- and post-institution of SCIP guidelines are analyzed. Data from the July 2006 to June 2007 and July 2007 to June 2008 reports are compared. Rates of SCIP compliance are analyzed. RESULTS: There were 113 colorectal cases in the July 2006 to June 2007 NSW report. The rate of superficial SSI was 13.3%, with an expected rate of 9.7% (p = 0.041). The observed-to-expected ratio was 1.39. Compliance with SCIP was 38%. There were 84 colorectal cases in the July 2007 to June 2008 NSW report. The rate of superficial SSI was 8.3%, with an expected rate of 10.25% (p = 0.351). The observed-to-expected ratio was 0.81. Compliance with SCIP measures was 92%. CONCLUSIONS: Participation in NSQIP can identify areas of increased morbidity and mortality. Our institution was a high outlier in superficial SSI in colorectal patients during the first NSW evaluations. SCIP guidelines were instituted and a statistically significant reduction in our rates of SSI was realized. As our compliance with SCIP improved, our rates of superficial SSI decreased. Reduction in superficial SSI decreases cost to the patient and decreases length of stay. (J Am Coll Surg 2010;210:737-743. (C) 2010 by the American College of Surgeons)