Team Approach: Preventing Surgical Site Infections in Pediatric Scoliosis Surgery

* While some segments of the population of patients undergoing pediatric spine surgery are at considerable risk for infection, standardized processes and the involvement of a dedicated team can serve to minimize this risk. * A well-functioning perioperative team is a necessary prerequisite for the promotion of a culture focused on patient safety and the quality of care. * The use of Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program principles is a powerful and well-tried way to foster team development, facilitate best-in-practice processes, and improve culture. * Organizations that wish to excel in the care of patients with complex pediatric spine deformity should invest heavily in the development of multidisciplinary dedicated teams, an investment that not only is an ethical prerequisite for the care of this fragile population but also is an effort that will deliver considerable returns following implementation. * The goal of the present review is to demonstrate how the use of a multidisciplinary team approach can be used to optimize and innovate regarding the prevention of surgical site infections in patients with pediatric scoliosis.