A retrospective case–control study of a cluster of surgical site infections after coronary artery bypass grafting at a tertiary medical center

Abstract Objective: To investigate a cluster of surgical site infections (SSIs) in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedures, identify risk factors for infection, and implement measures to prevent new cases. Design: The investigation comprised a retrospective case–con...

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Main Authors: Alaina S. Ritter, Vidya Kollu, Amanda Aspilcueta, Jennifer D. Connolly, Eddie Manning, Lennox Archibald
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press 2025-01-01
Series:Antimicrobial Stewardship & Healthcare Epidemiology
Online Access:https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2732494X25001640/type/journal_article
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author Alaina S. Ritter
Vidya Kollu
Amanda Aspilcueta
Jennifer D. Connolly
Eddie Manning
Lennox Archibald
author_facet Alaina S. Ritter
Vidya Kollu
Amanda Aspilcueta
Jennifer D. Connolly
Eddie Manning
Lennox Archibald
author_sort Alaina S. Ritter
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objective: To investigate a cluster of surgical site infections (SSIs) in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedures, identify risk factors for infection, and implement measures to prevent new cases. Design: The investigation comprised a retrospective case–control study and an observational review of infection control practices between the fall of 2018 and 2019 (study period). Setting: Tertiary care medical center in Florida, USA. Patients: Patients who acquired an SSI following CABG during the study period were defined as case-patients. Control-patients were randomly selected patients who did not acquire a post-CABG SSI. Methods: We recorded clinical and epidemiologic details on a standardized form and analyzed data with SAS statistical software. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Results: Seven patients met the case definition and 21 control-patients were identified. While multiple variables were significant on univariate analysis, after controlling for confounding using multivariate analysis/logistic regression, only lower age (P < 0.0001) and meeting the requirements for appropriate perioperative temperature management (SCIP measure 10) (P = 0.01) were identified as independent risk factors for SSI. Per observational review, measures to reduce operating room traffic and limit door opening/closing were implemented and wound vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) use was phased out. Our institutional SSI rate returned to baseline and no additional clusters were seen in the following three years. Conclusions: Multiple potential risk factors exist for SSI after coronary artery bypass grafting. At our institution, minimizing operating room traffic and reducing wound VAC use may have successfully addressed these healthcare-associated infections.
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spelling doaj-art-da711b5bd9884138a87012e644a3eae52025-08-20T02:09:12ZengCambridge University PressAntimicrobial Stewardship & Healthcare Epidemiology2732-494X2025-01-01510.1017/ash.2025.164A retrospective case–control study of a cluster of surgical site infections after coronary artery bypass grafting at a tertiary medical centerAlaina S. Ritter0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8216-3588Vidya Kollu1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3833-0916Amanda Aspilcueta2https://orcid.org/0009-0002-4849-417XJennifer D. Connolly3Eddie Manning4Lennox Archibald5Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA Division of Infectious Diseases, North Florida South Georgia VA Medical Center, Gainesville, FL, USAInfectious Disease, HCA North Florida Hospital, Gainesville, FL, USAInfection Control Division, Malcom Randall Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Gainesville, USA (Retired)College of Nursing, North Florida South Georgia VA Medical Center, Gainesville, FL, USACardiothoracic Surgery Section, North Florida South Georgia VA Medical Center, Gainesville, FL, USADivision of Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA Division of Infectious Diseases, North Florida South Georgia VA Medical Center, Gainesville, FL, USA Abstract Objective: To investigate a cluster of surgical site infections (SSIs) in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedures, identify risk factors for infection, and implement measures to prevent new cases. Design: The investigation comprised a retrospective case–control study and an observational review of infection control practices between the fall of 2018 and 2019 (study period). Setting: Tertiary care medical center in Florida, USA. Patients: Patients who acquired an SSI following CABG during the study period were defined as case-patients. Control-patients were randomly selected patients who did not acquire a post-CABG SSI. Methods: We recorded clinical and epidemiologic details on a standardized form and analyzed data with SAS statistical software. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Results: Seven patients met the case definition and 21 control-patients were identified. While multiple variables were significant on univariate analysis, after controlling for confounding using multivariate analysis/logistic regression, only lower age (P < 0.0001) and meeting the requirements for appropriate perioperative temperature management (SCIP measure 10) (P = 0.01) were identified as independent risk factors for SSI. Per observational review, measures to reduce operating room traffic and limit door opening/closing were implemented and wound vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) use was phased out. Our institutional SSI rate returned to baseline and no additional clusters were seen in the following three years. Conclusions: Multiple potential risk factors exist for SSI after coronary artery bypass grafting. At our institution, minimizing operating room traffic and reducing wound VAC use may have successfully addressed these healthcare-associated infections. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2732494X25001640/type/journal_article
spellingShingle Alaina S. Ritter
Vidya Kollu
Amanda Aspilcueta
Jennifer D. Connolly
Eddie Manning
Lennox Archibald
A retrospective case–control study of a cluster of surgical site infections after coronary artery bypass grafting at a tertiary medical center
Antimicrobial Stewardship & Healthcare Epidemiology
title A retrospective case–control study of a cluster of surgical site infections after coronary artery bypass grafting at a tertiary medical center
title_full A retrospective case–control study of a cluster of surgical site infections after coronary artery bypass grafting at a tertiary medical center
title_fullStr A retrospective case–control study of a cluster of surgical site infections after coronary artery bypass grafting at a tertiary medical center
title_full_unstemmed A retrospective case–control study of a cluster of surgical site infections after coronary artery bypass grafting at a tertiary medical center
title_short A retrospective case–control study of a cluster of surgical site infections after coronary artery bypass grafting at a tertiary medical center
title_sort retrospective case control study of a cluster of surgical site infections after coronary artery bypass grafting at a tertiary medical center
url https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2732494X25001640/type/journal_article
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