Ms Lisa Nicolaou1, Dr Liana Varrone, Dr Khui Lee, Mrs. Inutu Kashina, Dr Rebecca Hogan, Mrs. Melanie Trainor, Ms Olivia Kamau, Mrs. Claire Tinson, Ms Rebecca McCann
1Western Australia Department of Health, Communicable Disease Control Directorate, Infection Prevention Policy Surveillance Unit, East Perth, Australia
Biography:
Lisa Nicolaou is a Senior Policy Officer at the Department of Health in Western Australia, with over 20 years of experience as a registered nurse and midwife. She has significantly contributed to public health responses, including COVID-19, VHF and Mpox, through developing and implementing IPC policies and collaborating with stakeholders.
Abstract:
Surgical site infections (SSIs) occur as a result of an operative procedure. They are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, prolonged hospitalisation and increased healthcare costs. Private and public healthcare facilities in Western Australia (WA) voluntarily contribute data on SSI following caesarean section (CS) to the Healthcare Infection Surveillance WA (HISWA) program.
The WA Department of Health's Infection Prevention Policy and Surveillance Unit collates and reports HISWA data on CS SSI. Between 2019 and 2024 an upward trend in the total CS SSI rate was observed. The elective CS SSI rate increased from 0.77 to 1.25 infections per 100 procedures, and the emergency CS SSI rate increased from 1.42 to 2.04 infections per 100 procedures.
Most hospitals have an individual approach to SSI prevention strategies. To understand and improve practices that contribute to patient safety and quality of care, a statewide survey on current SSI prevention strategies was performed. The survey included questions about preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative SSI prevention strategies. Each hospital submitting CS data to HISWA was invited to complete the survey.
The survey results identified variation in practice across regional, metropolitan and private hospitals. This highlights the importance of surveillance, education and adherence to standardised protocols to ensure the best outcomes for patients. Further research and analysis needs to be performed, and it is hoped the findings will foster collaboration for a WA guideline on preventing SSI in CS procedures to improve quality of care and patient outcomes.