The 2009 tally equaled zero infections for orthopedic joint replacements at SSM St. Mary’s Health Center (SMHC). This impressive clinical result was the work of a dedicated multi-disciplinary SMHC team focused on improving standardized orthopedics care. Adding to the excitement, SSM Orthopedics at SMHC expects to add a wider range of specialists to its team, including shoulder and sports medicine physicians.
“We are looking to improve the patient-care experience by providing a full continuum of orthopedic services at St. Mary’s,” said Drew Rector, SSM Orthopedics service-line executive.
Energized by its accomplishment, the SMHC orthopedics team is looking forward to the future while aspiring to duplicate its success in 2010.
“The zero-infection success is definitely a team effort,” said Sharon Schaefer, SSM St. Mary’s orthopedic clinical program coordinator. “It begins with the education of the patients and family members.”
Prior to surgery, patients and family members learn how to shower with Hibiclens soap, reducing skin bacteria and post-surgical infections. But, this is just the beginning.
“From sterile technique in the operating room to proper hand washing and dressing-change practices, the physicians and nurses follow a standard prevention protocol to eliminate infections,” said Nancy Kuhlman, RN, SSM St. Mary's orthopedics team leader.
It’s all about the details. Team members adhere to Surgical Care Infection Prevention (SCIP) guidelines for antibiotic administration. In the operating room, laminar flow ventilation reduces airborne bacteria, and traffic is limited. Finally, patients receive follow-up care from home physical therapists and nurses to support and reinforce post-operative care.
“We are always trying to stay ahead of infections,” said Thomas Fox, MD, SSM St. Mary's division of orthopedics co-medical director. “We are doing more routine screenings of patients to see if they are carriers of certain staph infection. In some ways, reducing infections is more difficult today as more bacteria become more resistant to antibiotics. Also, more patients are admitted to hospitals with community-acquired infections.”
Fox sees one of the next steps in improving joint-replacement care coming from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons’ leadership, which hopes to start a National Joint Replacement Registry. While the SMHC orthopedics staff already tracks data for all joint-replacement patients, a national database could facilitate nationwide quality-of-care.
For more information about SSM Orthopedics at St. Mary’s Health Center, call 314-768-8801.