Improving Compliance With Prophylactic Antibiotic Administration Guidelines

ABSTRACT
• TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE of surgical site infections, preoperative prophylactic antibiotics should be administered within 60 minutes before the initial incision is made. A recent study and anecdotal observations, however, indicate that rates for compliance with these guidelines are low.
• A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT was undertaken at a Florida health care facility to determine if implementing changes in preoperative processes would increase compliance with prophylactic antibiotic administration guidelines.
• AFTER THE STRATEGIES were implemented, compliance rates with the national guidelines for administration of antibiotics within 60 minutes of surgical incision increased from 75% at baseline to 95% postimplementation. AORN J 85 (January 2007) 173-180. © AORN, Inc, 2007.