Effective methods to decrease surgical site infections in pediatric gastrointestinal surgery

Gastrointestinal (GI) surgeries represent a significant proportion of the surgical site infection (SSI) burden in pediatric patients, resulting in significant morbidity. Previous studies have shown that perioperative bundles reduce SSIs, but few have focused on pediatric GI operations. We hypothesized that a GI bundle would decrease SSI rates, length of stay (LOS), and hospital charges. After establishing baseline SSI rates, a GI bundle was created and implemented in November 2014. We prospectively collected data including demographics, procedure type, LOS, inpatient charges, bundle compliance, and SSI development. We analyzed SSI rates, LOS, and charges using process control charts. The baseline SSI rate for all GI operations was 3.4%, which increased to 7.1%, then decreased to 4.7%. Midgut/hindgut and stoma closure SSI rates decreased from 11.3% to 8.0% (p