Project to reduce occurrence of postoperative infection - Educational Opportunities - Brief Article

AORN Journal, July, 2002

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have joined forces to develop the CMS/CDC surgical infection prevention project, according to a March 12, 2002, news release from the CMS. The goal of this project is to improve the selection and timing of administration of prophylactic antibiotics and reduce the occurrence of postoperative infection.

The project began last year. Each month, a panel of experts meets to provide clinical expertise and support to the project's steering committee. The panel of experts comprises leading infectious disease and surgical experts.

Coronary artery bypass graft; cardiac, colon, hip, and knee arthroplasty; abdominal and vaginal hysterectomy; and selected vascular procedures will be studied. Additional information on the project was introduced to quality improvement organizations at a conference in February 2002. One-third of the states will begin the three-year project in the summer of 2002. Others will be phased into the project in February 2003.

National Quality Improvement Project to Target Surgical Infection Prevention (news release, Washington, DC: Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, March 12, 2002) 1-3.