Effect of implementing infection control guidelines on minimizing surgical wound infection for patients undergoing neurosurgery

Background and objective: Nursing role delivered at all levels of care is critical to eliminate surgical wound infection after neurosurgery. Aim: Evaluate the effect of implementing infection control guidelines on minimizing surgical wound infection for patients undergoing neurosurgery. Methods: Pretest/posttest was used to assess and evaluate nurses' practices pre and post implementation of infection control guidelines while posttest only was used for patients to evaluate the effect of implementing infection control guidelines on minimizing surgical wound infection. Thirty-six nurses in neurosurgery department at Assiut Neurological, Psychiatric and Neurosurgery University Hospital, also 443 patients undergoing neurosurgery were included. Nurses' practices were assessed pre and post implementation of infection control guidelines. Tools: Nurses' observation checklist, patients’ assessment sheet, patients’ follow up sheet and neurosurgery infection control guidelines (teaching booklet) for nurses.  Results: Nurses’ practices were improved, infection in neurosurgery was eradicated according to results of environmental swabs and surgical wound infection was reduced post implementation of infection control guidelines. Conclusion and recommendation: Proper implementation of disinfection and sterilization enhance safe and effective care. Infection control policy should be developed in neurosurgery department and all healthcare team should be responsible to adhere and implement it.