Process improvement plan for the reduction of sternal surgical site infections among patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery

In an attempt to reduce sternal infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus, a protocol was introduced that included the administration of intranasal mupirocin calcium 2% before surgery to patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery. Surveillance data indicated a 55% reduction in the rate of deep sternal wound infections caused by S aureus and superficial sternal wound infections have declined from 25 to 6 since the adoption of the protocol. At the study institution, this protocol is now an ongoing process to reduce the incidence of sternal infections caused by S aureus among cardiothoracic patients. (Am J Infect Control 2002;30:434-6.)