Care Bundles in Surgical Site Infection Prevention: A Narrative Review

Surgical site infections are healthcare-associated infections that cause significant morbidity and mortality. Best practices in prevention of these infections are combined in care bundles for consistent implementation.

Care bundles have been used in nearly all surgical specialties. While the composition and size of bundles vary, the effect of a bundle depends on the number of evidence-based interventions included and the consistency of implementation. Bundles work because of the cooperation and collaboration among members of a team. Bundles for prevention of surgical site infections should address the multiple risk factors for infection before, during, and after the surgery.

Bundles increase standardization of processes and decrease operative variance that both lead to reductions in surgical site infections.