Patient Profile and Perioperative Care Practices Associated With the Absence of Deep Surgical Site Infections in Patients Following Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Background: Postoperative surgical site infections (SSIs) are a significant concern in cardiac surgery. Purpose: To characterize clinical and perioperative factors associated with the absence of deep SSIs in a cohort of patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. Methods: A retrospective, single-center study was conducted, analyzing data from 214 patients between August 2023 and June 2024. Perioperative care measures included adherence to an established cardiothoracic SSI prevention bundle, consisting of preoperative chlorhexidine gluconate bathing, preoperative nasal decolonization, intraoperative antibiotics, and intraoperative and postoperative glycemic control. Results: Adherence to the prevention bundle varied (82.7-98.6%). A statistically significant difference in postoperative glycemic control was observed between elective and urgent surgery cases. Conclusion: This study’s findings highlight the potential effect of rigorous protocol adherence and the critical role of standardized nursing care in SSI prevention. Future research to optimize patient care and outcomes during and after CABG surgery is recommended.