Anti-staphylococcal bundle to reduce SSI

Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of surgical site infections both in New Zealand and globally. It accounts for about 30 percent of orthopaedic SSIs identified in patients in New Zealand hospitals.

Since 2019, the Commission’s infection prevention and control programme team has facilitated the implementation of a preoperative anti-staphylococcal bundle within the Surgical Site Infection Improvement (SSII) Programme. The Commission is working with interested hospital teams to roll out the bundle using a collaborative and quality improvement methodology.

The bundle, which is primarily for orthopaedic and cardiac procedures, will reduce patient harm and costs. It includes pre-operative interventions to reduce SSIs caused by Staphylococcus aureus.