The Crani Bundle

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are preventable complications. The Joint Commission (TJC) National Patient Safety Goal® (NPSG) 7 focuses on decreasing health care-associated infections (HAIs), such as SSIs. LOCAL PROBLEM: The neurosurgery service line encountered 4 SSIs from craniotomy procedures over a 27-month period with 2 occurring in 1 month requiring immediate attention. METHODS: A pre- (January 2018 to March 2020)/post-implementation (April 2020 to July 2022) design, using rapid Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles, guided this evidenced-based practice quality improvement project. INTERVENTIONS: The Crani Bundle, a nurse-led SSI prevention initiative focusing on patient hand hygiene and postoperative chlorhexidine gluconate bathing, was developed and implemented to reduce SSI after craniotomy (SSI-CRAN). RESULTS: Implementation of the Crani Bundle decreased SSI-CRAN from 3.38% ( n = 4/118) to 0.0% ( n = 0/87). CONCLUSIONS: The Crani Bundle was effective in reducing SSI-CRAN, meeting TJC NPSG® of preventing HAIs and improving patient safety.