Ontario Health’s surgical site infections quality standard provides guidance on the care of people of
all ages who have a surgical procedure that requires an incision (a cut through
the skin). The quality standard identifies what can be done to prevent a
surgical site infection when a surgery is planned; however, many of the
statements also apply to unplanned or emergency surgeries when decisions are
made quickly. It applies to care in all settings where surgical care is
provided and surgical wounds are managed, including:
- Acute care
- Primary care
- Emergency departments
- Hospital outpatient care
- Home and community care
- Rehabilitation
- Long-term care
The quality standard focuses on risk
assessment, perioperative patient care, antibiotic prophylaxis, perioperative
monitoring, operating room procedures, and patient, family, and caregiver
education. It also outlines the best methods for communication among patients,
family members, caregivers, and the health care team.
The quality standard includes seven quality
statements addressing areas that have high potential for improving the quality
of care provided to people having surgery in Ontario.
Below is a sample of tools that may help
you implement the quality statements in practice, organized according to
purpose. Many of these tools will help support multiple quality statements.
This list is not exhaustive. Are there
other tools or resources you use? Do you have experience implementing these or
other tools? If so, please share your thoughts in the comments section below!
Tools and Resources to Support Clinical Practice
Communication Resources for Providers
Resources for Patients, Families, and
Caregivers
- Health811:
An online resource from the Government of Ontario that allows people to connect
with a registered nurse at any time of day for free, secure, and confidential
health advice
- Mind the Gap: a handbook
of clinical signs and symptoms in Black and Brown skin that can help patients,
families, and caregivers understand what signs and symptoms look like in Black
and Brown skin, from Mind the Gap, based in the United Kingdom
- Transitions Between Hospital and Home Patient Guide: a resource for patients
transitioning (moving) between hospital and home after a hospital admission, as
well as for families and caregivers; provides information on the transition
process, suggestions on what to discuss with care providers before leaving the
hospital, and links to helpful resources
Other Resources
Quality Standards: Other Ontario
Health quality standards relevant to caring for people having surgery include: