TY - JOUR
T1 - Expert commentary on the challenges and opportunities for surgical site infection prevention through implementation of evidence-based guidelines in the Asia-Pacific Region
AU - Morikane, K.
AU - Russo, P. L.
AU - Lee, K. Y.
AU - Chakravarthy, M.
AU - Ling, M. L.
AU - Saguil, E.
AU - Spencer, M.
AU - Danker, W.
AU - Seno, A.
AU - Charles, E. Edmiston
PY - 2021/4/1
Y1 - 2021/4/1
N2 - INTRODUCTION: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a significant source of morbidity and mortality in the Asia-Pacific region (APAC), adversely impacting patient quality of life, fiscal productivity and placing a major economic burden on the country's healthcare system. This commentary reports the findings of a two-day meeting that was held in Singapore on July 30-31, 2019, where a series of consensus recommendations were developed by an expert panel composed of infection control, surgical and quality experts from APAC nations in an effort to develop an evidence-based pathway to improving surgical patient outcomes in APAC. METHODS: The expert panel conducted a literature review targeting four sentinel areas within the APAC region: national and societal guidelines, implementation strategies, postoperative surveillance and clinical outcomes. The panel formulated a series of key questions regarding APAC-specific challenges and opportunities for SSI prevention. RESULTS: The expert panel identified several challenges for mitigating SSIs in APAC; (a) constraints on human resources, (b) lack of adequate policies and procedures, (c) lack of a strong safety culture, (d) limitation in funding resources, (e) environmental and geographic challenges, (f) cultural diversity, (g) poor patient awareness and (h) limitation in self-responsibility. Corrective strategies for guideline implementation in APAC were proposed that included: (a) institutional ownership of infection prevention strategies, (b) perform baseline assessments, (c) review evidence-based practices within the local context, (d) develop a plan for guideline implementation, (e) assess outcome and stakeholder feedback, and (f) ensure long-term sustainability. CONCLUSIONS: Reducing the risk of SSIs in APAC region will require: (a) ongoing consultation and collaboration among stakeholders with a high level of clinical staff engagement and (b) a strong institutional and national commitment to alleviate the burden of SSIs by embracing a safety culture and accountability.
AB - INTRODUCTION: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a significant source of morbidity and mortality in the Asia-Pacific region (APAC), adversely impacting patient quality of life, fiscal productivity and placing a major economic burden on the country's healthcare system. This commentary reports the findings of a two-day meeting that was held in Singapore on July 30-31, 2019, where a series of consensus recommendations were developed by an expert panel composed of infection control, surgical and quality experts from APAC nations in an effort to develop an evidence-based pathway to improving surgical patient outcomes in APAC. METHODS: The expert panel conducted a literature review targeting four sentinel areas within the APAC region: national and societal guidelines, implementation strategies, postoperative surveillance and clinical outcomes. The panel formulated a series of key questions regarding APAC-specific challenges and opportunities for SSI prevention. RESULTS: The expert panel identified several challenges for mitigating SSIs in APAC; (a) constraints on human resources, (b) lack of adequate policies and procedures, (c) lack of a strong safety culture, (d) limitation in funding resources, (e) environmental and geographic challenges, (f) cultural diversity, (g) poor patient awareness and (h) limitation in self-responsibility. Corrective strategies for guideline implementation in APAC were proposed that included: (a) institutional ownership of infection prevention strategies, (b) perform baseline assessments, (c) review evidence-based practices within the local context, (d) develop a plan for guideline implementation, (e) assess outcome and stakeholder feedback, and (f) ensure long-term sustainability. CONCLUSIONS: Reducing the risk of SSIs in APAC region will require: (a) ongoing consultation and collaboration among stakeholders with a high level of clinical staff engagement and (b) a strong institutional and national commitment to alleviate the burden of SSIs by embracing a safety culture and accountability.
KW - Asia–Pacific
KW - Guidelines
KW - Healthcare-associated infection
KW - Implementation
KW - Surgical site infection
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85103806760&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1186/s13756-021-00916-9
DO - 10.1186/s13756-021-00916-9
M3 - Article
C2 - 33795007
AN - SCOPUS:85103806760
SN - 2047-2994
VL - 10
SP - 65
JO - Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control
JF - Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control
IS - 1
ER -
