Title : Reducing SSI and Readmissions After Cesarean Section: Effectiveness of Leukomed Sorbact Dressing !

Introduction:  Surgical site infections (SSIs) following caesarean sections contribute significantly to patient morbidity, prolonged hospitalization, readmissions, and higher economic burden. In alignment with NICE Medical Technology Guidance MTG55 (February 2021), UHB trust maternity units initiated a quality improvement initiative on February 5th, 2024 which involved replacing standard Tegaderm dressings with Leukomed Sorbact dressings for caesarean sections. This change in wound care protocol reflects our commitment to enhancing patient outcomes and optimizing resource utilization.

Methods :  To assess the impact of Leukomed Sorbact dressings on post-caesarean surgical site infections (SSIs), we compared SSI rates in two groups: patients receiving Tegaderm dressings (November 1, 2023 - February 4, 2024) and those receiving Leukomed Sorbact (February 5 - April 30, 2024). This retrospective cohort study analysed patients presenting with SSIs within 30 days post-operation at UHB trust maternity units.

Results : The introduction of Leukomed Sorbact dressings resulted in a significant decrease in postcaesarean SSI rates, with an overall reduction of 36%. Notably, patients with a BMI ≥ 45 experienced the greatest benefit, with SSI rates falling from 60% to 42.9%. This intervention also led to a 38% reduction in readmission rates and a substantial 74% decrease in readmission days. Furthermore, a decline in both antibiotic use for SSI treatment and wound complications such as dehiscence was observed. Analysis showed Leukomed Sorbact contributed to system-wide saving of GBP 153,824 in these 3 months. These findings demonstrate the positive impact of Leukomed Sorbact dressings on patient outcomes and healthcare resource utilization.

Conclusion : This study demonstrates that the use of Leukomed Sorbact dressings significantly reduces SSI rates following caesarean sections, particularly in patients with elevated BMI. The observed reduction in readmissions, antibiotic use, and wound complications highlights the potential of this intervention to improve patient outcomes and optimize healthcare resource allocation.