The use of prophylactic antibiotics to reduce the instances of Research Paper

The use of prophylactic antibiotics to reduce the instances of surgical site infections - Research Paper Example We will write a plan for the implementation and evaluation of this plan and its application guidelines. In the interest of covering the trend of electronic health records, the plan will involve the use of newer technologies in maintaining a 100% antibiotic prophylaxis rate. While much has been written concerning which medications to use, when and how, I will take the Stetler Model to use newer technologies to improve upon current problems and provide new ideas to that extent. Phase 1: Introduction and Preparation A great many strides have been made since the advent of antibiotics that have helped cure infection and even prevent them from happening. In surgical care, because the body is being necessarily invaded normal flora can be translated to areas in which they become pathogenic and cause infection and disease (Wells, 2009) . Surgical site infections occur as a result of these bacteria and cause disease in the following manners: Incisional Deep (muscle and fascial layers) Subcutan eous (cellulitis) Organ or Space (Abscess or Meningitis) Further, research conducted by White (2007) shows how despite national recommendation guidelines many hospital surgical teams fail in achieving a 95%+ rate of surgical antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent post-operative infections which can occur as late as 30 days after the procedure (Wells, 2009). The most common soft tissue infectionsare gram positive organisms and are easily treated or prevented, but if allowed to infect areas of the body without prior treatment they can reproduce and cause abscesses, then the chance of damaging infections where organ function is compromised can be adequately controlled using the Stetler model to be implemented here. Appendix 1 will show the replication of the National Research Council Wound Classification. Interest Interest in this topic stems from insight to the needs we have at present to improve some of the antiquated paper systems in place with one that provides for the needs of the pati ent population, accounting for human error, that will be incurring a surgical procedure and that would be all patients from pediatric to geriatric. The need to limit infection as a complication of an already difficult medical practice is tantamount to improving post-operative infection outcomes where co-morbidities are not common place, but rare and limited. Patient Population and Clinical Settings As mentioned, almost every patient will at one time need a surgical procedure. However, each operation is different and carries risks unique to itself. A colectomy will certainly need different antibiotic treatment than a simple cyst removal or even a transplant operation, however the pre-surgical needs are all the same. Each patient needs to meet with the anesthesiologist, the operating surgeon if they haven't prior to the date, and nursing staff who will be caring for them throughout the process. In each, be it an outpatient facility, hospital, or clinic, appropriate treatments should b e administered and proper documentation followed. Validation and Literature Review A complete and thorough review of current literature regarding surgical prophylaxis was performed using Google Scholar for literature review, PubMed, and text sources. Search target parameters included 'surgical prophylaxis error', 'nursing surgery error', 'pre-surgical antibiotics' and 'surgical infection'. After a thorough review,