Reducing urinary tract infection rates in post-operative surgical patients: A quality improvement intervention

Introduction and objectives

The Scarborough Health Network joined the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) in fiscal year 2017–2018 with interest in tracking surgical outcomes in General and Vascular Surgery patients. Results of the ACS NSQIP program revealed poor outcomes in 30-day urinary tract infection (UTI) rates in this population group. Results were in the lowest quartile compared to peer hospitals. To improve patient care, SHN initiated a multi-pronged quality improvement plan (QIP).

Methods

The QIP focused on several improvements: (1) clarify the current state and conduct a root cause analysis, (2) determine a plan to encourage early removal of catheters in post-surgical patients, (3) enhance team communication in the pre-operative, operative and post-operative care environments, and (4) improve education around UTI prevention and treatment.

Results

This study demonstrates the success of the quality improvement plan to improve a peri-operative complication in surgical patients. By 2019, SHN saw a significant decrease in UTI rates, and became a top decile performer in ACS NSQIP.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the feasibility and success of implementing a quality improvement project, and its methods can be adapted at other hospital sites to improve patient care.