Process of Care Measures Reports
Hospitals can reduce the risk of infection after surgery by making sure they provide care that’s known to get the best results for most patients. Here are some examples:
- Giving the recommended antibiotics at the right time before surgery
- Stopping the antibiotics within the right timeframe after surgery
- Maintaining the patient’s temperature and blood glucose (sugar) at normal levels
- Removing catheters that are used to drain the bladder in a timely manner after surgery
Hospitals can also reduce the risk of cardiac problems associated with surgery by making sure that certain prescription drugs are continued in the time before, during, and just after the surgery. This includes drugs used to control heart rhythms and blood pressure as well as giving drugs that prevent blood clots and using other methods such as special stockings that increase circulation in the legs.