An article published in the August 2018 issue, “Preventing Surgical Site Infections Related to Abdominal Drains in the Intensive Care Unit,”1  presented innovative and evidence-based nursing interventions to reduce surgical site infections (SSIs). These infections are an important topic in acute care settings now that the center for Medicare and Medicaid Services has shifted the focus of pay-for-performance metrics from process to outcome measures.2  Numerous initiatives have been employed nationally to reduce patients’ risks of developing SSIs while hospitalized.3 

Unfortunately, SSIs remain a substantial problem for patients after abdominal surgeries, despite advances in surgical techniques and medical care.1–4  These infections have been shown to contribute up to 20% of nosocomial infections, with an overall incidence around 5% across all invasive surgical procedures. Surgical site infections lead to increased hospital length of stay and increased morbidity and mortality.3  As mentioned in the article, various...

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