Improving Outcomes of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Infections With Multiple Interventions Putting Science and Data to the Test

In 2001, 7.58% of our coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients developed surgical-site infection (SSI) as compared with 3.57% in National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System hospitals from January 1992 to June 2001. Seven new preventive measures were implemented and in 2002, the rate was 3.47%. Implementing evidence-based measures improved patient outcomes.