The incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) is estimated to be 160,000 to 300,000 yearly and likely understated. Per Ban et al., The American College of Surgeons (ACS) reports surgical site infections (SSIs) cost approximately $20,000 per incident and increase the length of hospital stays by nearly 10 days. The ACS also reports that 60% of SSIs were preventable using evidence-based measures. Surgical attire guidelines are an evidence-based tool in continuing to ensure that care is taken to avoid the bacterial contamination of the operating room. Further, these protocols remain steadfast to deliver maximum quality outcomes and assurance that patients and staff remain safe from harm. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) directed the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to promulgate rules steering hospitals to improve patient outcomes in a several areas, including SSIs. Hospitals that fail to achieve quality measures face up to 1% reduction in reimbursements. The Association of periOperative Nurses (AORN) evidence-based Guideline for Surgical Attire has been recognized by CMS and others as one that decreases likelihood of SSIs. Yet, since the guideline’s release, the lack of perioperative personnel taking ownership of implementation of the guideline remains challenging and threatens financial stability of organizations. The purpose of this scholarly project was to determine if informal yet concentrated education would decrease oppositional staff behaviors regarding appropriate surgical attire in the perioperative and operating room setting.
