Infection prevention
containing wash mitts could have a role, on intact skin.25
A 12-month community evaluation found
the use of these mitts led to a reduction in the prescription of antibiotics for wound infections, a reduction in unwarranted infections and improvements in the quality of care delivered.26 The mitts could be used after discharge for periwound cleaning on intact skin, particularly for women with post-surgery mobility issues.
Conclusions As rates of Caesarean delivery continue to increase, interventions to reduce the incidence of surgical site infections become increasingly important. While there is no single solution a care bundle which includes presurgical decontamination, pre-surgery skin preparation, antibiotic prophylaxis and evidence-based skin and wound care is an excellent starting point. CSJ
Note: The words ‘mother’ and ‘mothers’ have been used throughout this article, as this is the way that the majority of those who are pregnant and having a baby will identify. It also includes people whose gender identity does not correspond with their birth sex or who may have a non-binary identity.
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About the author
Sandra Quinn is the Project Lead for Surgical Site Infection Surveillance at York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. In 1991, she relocated from Ireland to Yorkshire to pursue a degree in psychology and sports. Her nursing journey began in 1996, inspired by the residents and staff at a nursing home where she worked. Upon qualifying in 1999, she started working
in the Emergency Department (ED), where she served for 17 years. During this time, she advanced to the position of Senior Nurse and trained as an Emergency Nurse Practitioner. She has trained as an Advanced Life Support instructor for both adults and children, and has trained others to become instructors through the Generic Instructor Course (GIC). In 2016, she took on the role of Resuscitation and Clinical Skills Lead – then, in March 2023, she undertook a full-time secondment as a Surgical Site Infection (SSI) lead. Her task was to examine infection rates, which subsequently led her to establish a regional group involving 14 organisations to share best practices.
21. Al Maqbali MA. Preoperative antiseptic skin preparations and reducing
SSI.Br J Nurs. 2013;22(21):1227-1233.
22. Bianchi J (2012) Protecting the integrity of the periwound skin. Wounds Essentials 7(1): 58–64
23. Woo KY, Beeckman D, Chakravarthy D (2017) Management of moisture-associated skin damage: A scoping review. Adv Skin Wound Care 30(11): 494-501
24. LeBlanc K, Beeckman D, Campbell K, et al (2021) Best practice recommendations for prevention and management of periwound skin complications. Wounds International.
25. Dhoonmoon L. Necrotising fasciitis: is follow-up supported self-care an option? Journ Comm Nurs. 2024; Vol 38, No 1, 24-28
26. Dhoonmoon L, Dyer M. Improving leg ulcer care in the community. Journal of Community Nursing, vol. 34, no. 6, Dec. 2020, pp. 40
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