Journal of Infectious Diseases & Therapy
Open Access

Abstract

Health Care-Associated Infections (HCAI) is the most frequent adverse event in health-care delivery worldwide. Up to 16% of HCAI are Surgical Site Infections (SSI). Managing the risk of SSI is complex. Many patients are affected by SSI each year, leading to significant mortality, morbidity and financial losses for health systems. Caesarean section deliveries are an important surgical procedure that is used to improve both maternal and fetal outcomes in complicated pregnancies. In recent times however the convenience of the surgery for both mother and surgeon has resulted in an increasing global trend of C-section deliveries which according to the world health organization has now reached pandemic proportions. The nature of the surgery makes it a high risk procedure and the incidence of infection have been increasing in both well and under-resourced countries. Since the entire process is not limited to a single hospital department, a multi-disciplinary approach is needed to minimize the risk of infections. For this study a surgical care pathway was introduced as part of a performance improvement project to a private hospital in South Africa which resulted in C-section infection rates decreasing from 5.12±0.82% to 0.23±0.15% (p<0.0001).

Biography

Caroline holds BS in nursing since 1988, certified in Infection Control (NYIC) as well as educator for NYIC certification and patient safety. She is JCI certified educator for JCI education program “Safety in Surgical Services”. She has more than 25 years’ experience in Nursing Management, Infection control and Health Care Quality, Accreditation Management and Elderly Care. She held the position of Director of Nursing Services at “Home Care Lebanon”, where she was leading the Health Care Team and responsible for Patient Safety. Caroline held the position of Operating Room Nursing Manager in Lebanon. She is an active public speaker at international and national congresses addressing many topics related to Patient Safety such as Hand Hygiene, Surgical standard of care, etc.in Central East Europe and Middle East and Africa ( CEMEA) region. She has been working closely with Hospitals Management team, Infection Control and Patient Safety Committees all over the CEEMEA region to improve patient safety, Expectations and outcomes. Her contribution in creating awareness of the best practices and driving surgical safety solution, surgical pathway, clinical evidences and standards of care to prevent Hospital Acquired Infection as well as educating Health Care Staff in CEEMEA region is broadly recognized and appreciated. She has publication on the Reduction of Surgical Site Infections in Cesarean Section Deliveries by Implementation of a Surgical Care Pathway

E-mail: Carolinebilan@hotmail.com