Lean Six Sigma Clean Closure Implementation Reduces Colorectal Surgical Site Infections by 62% in a Tertiary Medical Center

Surgical site infections (SSI) lead to patient suffering, morbidity and mortality, extended length of stay and avoidable costs of additional care. SSI rates are disproportionately higher among patients following colorectal surgery, occurring in 5 to 45 percent of cases at an average cost of $26,000 per SSI. The project used Lean Six Sigma to implement an evidence-based clean closure protocol to reduce SSI in colorectal surgery at a tertiary medical center.

This case study is part of the Illinois Health and Hospital Association's annual Quality Excellence Achievement Awards. Each year, IHA recognizes and celebrates the achievements of Illinois hospitals and health systems in continually improving and transforming health care in the state. These organizations are improving health by striving to achieve the Triple Aim—improving the patient experience of care (including quality and satisfaction), improving the health of populations, and reducing the per capita cost of health care—and the Institute of Medicine's six aims for improvement—safe, effective, patient centered, timely, efficient, and equitable. To learn more, visit https://www.ihaqualityawards.org/javascript-ui/IHAQualityAward/