Schülke – experts in infection prevention and control – are supporting the QIST (Quality Improvement for Surgical Teams) project. This unique collaborative is driving forward improvements for patients by ‘scaling up’ interventions, such as screening and the use of bodywash and nasal gel treatments to reduce infections.
Now more than than 30 organisations across the NHS have joined forces to reduce infections from MSSA for patients having hip and knee replacement surgery.
An MSSA screening and decolonisation programme undertaken at Northumbria Healthcare Foundation Trust, was shown to be effective in reducing rates of Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) by up to 60%, leading the researchers to conclude that: ‘the decolonisation programme was a significant factor in the threefold reduction of MSSA.’ [1]
The programme was found to result in significant savings when compared to the cost of prevented infections. Following the introduction of the screening programme 47 PJIs were avoided, with a cost per infection prevented of £1893. This compares to the revision cost of £21,937, leading to an estimated total cost benefit of £1,031,039 over the course of the study. [1]
The Northumbria study published in the Journal of Infection (2018) analysed results in almost 13,000 patients. [1] All MSSA positive patients attending for elective arthroplasty were prescribed octenisanÒ wash lotion (schülke) and a nasal gel for use 5 days prior to the procedure, and five days after.
Surgical site infection (SSI) is the third most common healthcare-associated infection (HCAI) in hospitals in England, and accounts for almost 16% of all HCAIs[2]. SSI complicates 5% of all surgical procedures in the UK and is a major cause of postoperative morbidity and mortality [2]
Of particular concern is periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) following hip or knee replacement surgery. This is a serious and potentially life threatening complication. Revision surgery has higher morbidity and mortality than a primary procedure. There is also a cost burden associated with treatment of infection which is estimated to be £21,937 for each revision. [1] Methicillin sensitive staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) is a common isolate in PJI and colonisation is a proven risk factor for subsequent infection. [1]
Clinical director for trauma and orthopaedics at Northumbria Healthcare and chief investigator for the QIST infection collaborative, Professor Mike Reed said: “The overall ambition of this collaborative is to prove the case we can successfully introduce these interventions and improve care for patients having joint replacement surgery so that they become routine clinical practice across the NHS. By joining forces and sharing best practice, I strongly believe we can make a real difference to patients across the NHS.”
To find out more about the QIST project and how it could benefit your Trust, visit schülke on stand 28. Schülke offer a range of innovative products for body washing and wound care, as well as surface/instrument cleaning and disinfection.
