Beyond surgical care improvement program compliance: antibiotic prophylaxis implementation gaps

Abstract

Background: Despite increased compliance with Surgical Care Improvement Project infection measures, surgical-site infections are not decreasing. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that documented compliance with antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines on a pediatric surgery service does not reflect implementation fidelity or adherence to guidelines as intended.

Methods: A 7-week observational study of elective pediatric surgical cases was conducted. Adherence was evaluated for appropriate administration, type, timing, weight-based dosing, and redosing of antibiotics.

Results: Prophylactic antibiotics were administered appropriately in 141 of 143 cases (99%). Of 100 cases (70%) in which antibiotic prophylaxis was indicated, compliance was documented in 100% cases in the electronic medical record, but only 48% of cases adhered to all 5 guidelines. Lack of adherence was due primarily to dosing or timing errors.

Conclusions: Lack of implementation fidelity in antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines may partly explain the lack of expected reduction in surgical-site infections. Future studies of Surgical Care Improvement Project effectiveness should measure adherence and implementation fidelity rather than just documented compliance.

Keywords: Adherence; Antibiotic prophylaxis; Compliance; Implementation fidelity; SCIP; Surgical site infection.