Congress Abstracts 2006

312

REDUCING SURGICAL SITE INFECTIONS IN SURGICAL ONCOLOGY PATIENTS RECOVERING FROM TOTAL ABDOMINAL HYSTERECTOMY OR COLON RESECTION. Laura Connelly, MA, RN, CCRN, Judith Gerst, RN, MHA, CPHQ, Evelyn Marinas, BSN, RN, OCN^® , and Elizabeth Fogarty, RN, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.

Oncology patients often undergo surgery as a treatment intervention for cancer. Surgical site infections are a serious threat to the patient's recovery. The surgical oncology patient may undergo surgery first or after a chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy regimen has been completed. The disease process itself places the oncology patient at a higher risk for infection. Current nursing research does not reflect the issues faced by the surgical oncology patient as most of the literature focuses on the general surgery patient.

The objective of this project was two fold. The nurse investigators posited the nursing care delivered by the bedside nurse directly affects the progress and recovery of the surgical oncology patient. Effective nursing interventions greatly improve the surgical oncology patient's outcome. The investigators also proposed that the medical treatment course for the colon resection patient differs from the gynecological patient requiring a comparison of the two populations.

Thirty patients from the Gynecological floor recovering from total abdominal hysterectomy and thirty patients from the General Surgery floor recovering from colon resection were examined. Seven specific nursing interventions were bundled together for each floor. Compliance with ambulation, activity, incentive spirometry, incision care, and pain assessment were measured. Dressing changes, daily goals and return of GI function were monitored as well.

The Institution's definitions for surgical site infection were used. Nurses performed the seven specific nursing interventions for the surgical patient recommended by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Nurse investigators anticipated that the rate of infection in these populations would reach the goal of 1.5% utilizing the nursing intervention bundles.

Results should validate the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's recommendations for the nursing care of the surgical patient. Anticipated results should indicate a decrease in the infection rates for both oncology populations due to focused nursing intervention bundles. Gynecological patients undergoing surgery as a primary treatment modality should reach the goal. Colon resection patients may not reach this goal as chemotherapy and radiation may be offered before surgery. Data are currently being entered for analysis.