A midwifery-led prevalence programme for caesarean section surgical site infections

E Baxter

doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2020.12.008

A midwifery-led prevalence programme for caesarean section surgical site infections

J Hosp Infect. 2021 Mar:109:78-81. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2020.12.008. Epub 2020 Dec 17.

Author

E Baxter¹

Affiliation

¹ Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK. Electronic address: elaine.baxter3@nhs.net.

PMID: 33346042
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2020.12.008

Abstract

Caesarean section (CS) is a common procedure accounting for 29% of all deliveries. Surgical site infections (SSI) are a risk with any surgical procedure. A CS SSI prevalence programme led by a midwife, who is also an infection prevention and control matron, was implemented to determine the rate of CS SSI within the trust. The initial CS SSI rate was 26% over a 3-month period (June-August 2012). Targeted interventions were put in place to reduce the CS SSI rate, and by 2019, it had decreased to 8%. Hospitals should consider implementing CS SSI surveillance and prevention programmes. Real benefits can be realized with minimal resources.

Keywords: Caesarean section; Prevalence; Surgical site infection; Surveillance; Wound infection.

MeSH terms

Cesarean Section / adverse effects*
Female
Hospitals
Humans
Infection Control / methods*
Midwifery*
Pregnancy
Prevalence
Surgical Wound Infection* / prevention & control