Reduction of adverse outcomes from cesarean section by surgical‐site infection prevention care bundles in maternity

Objective To reduce average surgical‐site infection (SSI) rates to less than 7.5%, as well as other complications by incrementally implementing an SSI prevention care bundle in maternity: (1) ChloraPrep; (2) PICO dressings, performing elective cesarean sections in a main theater rather than a labor ward and warming blankets; (3) vaginal cleansing; and (4) Hibiscrub. Methods In this prospective cohort study, the association between categorical variables was assessed by χ 2 tests, temporal trends in the monthly percentage change of SSI were measured using the Joinpoint Regression Program v4.7.0.0. Results In all, 1682 women (mean age 33.1 ± 5.2 years) underwent either elective (53.9%) or emergency (46.1%) cesarean section. After a small initial increase (10.0%–11.8%), SSI progressively declined to 4.4% (χ 2 = 22.1, P < 0.001), as did sepsis, reoperation or readmission for SSI: from 12.5% to 0.5% (χ 2 = 90.1, P < 0.001). The rates of SSI fell progressively with the cumulative introduction care bundle components. The average monthly percentage change was −14.0% (95% confidence interval −21.8% to −5.4%, P = 0.004), and the average SSI rate was kept below 7.5% for the last 12 months of the study. Conclusion The maternal SSI prevention care bundle is simple and inexpensive; it effectively reduces SSI after a cesarean section and should be offered routinely to women undergoing cesarean section.