The implementation of a surgical safety checklist can increase theatre efficiency by improving team communication and providing a standardised approach to theatre management Furthermore, the implementation of a surgical safety checklist can increase theatre efficiency by improving team communication and providing a standardised approach to theatre management as well as complying with clinical governance to improve standards of patient care. Surgical checklists should be used to identify patient risks before surgery, so strategies can be discussed and implemented to minimise any risks to patients and staff (Mayer and Shepard, 2016). Surgical checklistsĬhecklists are a tool designed to reduce patient morbidity and mortality by providing a list of actionable tasks that are crucial to the performance of a specific process. In order to maintain surgical asepsis, it is essential to classify each surgical procedure in relation to the degree of any present infection and plan the day accordingly to maximise efficiency and lower contamination risk. The type of surgery performed will also influence the infection control procedures used. To maintain surgical asepsis, it is essential to classify each surgical procedure in relation to the degree of any present infection In addition to the exposure of the open wound to bacteria, the risk of SSIs is significantly elevated with increased surgical time, increased persons present during surgery and a contaminated surgical wound (Eugster et al., 2004). The patient is usually the primary source of the pathogens involved (Dohmen, 2006). Therefore, the efficacy of the team in preparing the surgical environment and patient, and the standard of practice protocols regarding wound management, can directly impact the risk of SSIs.Įxposing a surgical wound to either endogenous or exogenous flora can result in bacterial colonisation of the wound. How do we minimise the risk of SSIs?Ĭontamination is caused by endogenous sources (the patient’s microbial flora) or, less commonly, exogenous sources (surgical field contamination, including the surgical team, instruments and equipment). SSIs create an increased economic burden for practice and owner, with increased visits, lengthy hospitalisation and additional therapies, surgeries and diagnostic procedures often necessary (Nicoll et al., 2014).Īlthough there are no current guidelines for reporting incidents, SSIs have been reported in 0.8 to 18.1 percent of surgical patients (Garcia Stickney and Thieman Mankin, 2018), highlighting a significant threat to veterinary patients. SSIs commonly develop in superficial tissue within 30 days of surgery however, if implants are used, the infection can affect deeper tissues, and signs may not become evident until several months later (NICE, 2008). SSIs can be superficial infections involving the skin or, more seriously, can involve the tissues under the skin, organs or implanted material SSIs can be superficial infections involving the skin or, more seriously, can involve the tissues under the skin, organs or implanted material. SSIs are an example of nosocomial, or hospital-acquired, infections (HAI) that occur in a location where surgery has taken place. This can be achieved by controlling these aspects of the theatre environment. The principles behind infection control in the surgical environment involve limiting contamination of the surgical site with microorganisms from the patient, surgical team, operating theatre and surgical equipment. Therefore, the provision of an aseptic theatre environment is essential to minimise the risk of surgical site infections (SSIs). From the moment a patient arrives at the veterinary practice, the risk of exposure to harmful contamination is increased.
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