Implementation of Staphylococcus aureus Decolonization in Cardiac Surgery Patients at the Halifax Infirmary in Nova Scotia, Canada

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus screening and decolonization is a guideline recommended treatment for the prevention of surgical site infections in cardiac surgery. Our objective was to assess the barriers and facilitators associated with the implementation of S. aureus screening and decolonization using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.

Focus group interviews were held with healthcare workers at approximately 6 months. At 1-year, 563 non-urgent inpatients and 232 outpatients were consulted to cardiac surgery. 95% of inpatients and 91% of outpatients considered for cardiac surgery were appropriately screened. S. aureus was detected in 113 inpatients and 44 outpatients. Of the patients accepted for cardiac surgery, 59% of positive inpatients completed decolonization compared to 78% of outpatients. Uptake of decolonization increased over time.

S. aureus screening and decolonization was successfully implemented as a standard of care at our institution with the help of an implementation science framework.