We propose to establish a best practice for implementation of a multifaceted approach designed to attenuate perioperative ESKAPE (Enterococcus, S. aureus, Klebsiella, Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Enterobacter spp.) transmission and associated surgical site infection (SSI) development. Perioperative ESKAPE transmission (inoculum) contributes to the development of surgical site infections (SSIs) which affect 3-5% of patients undergoing surgery. SSIs increase patient morbidity, prolong hospitalization, increase the risk of intensive care unit admission, and increase the risk of death 2-fold. ESKAPE pathogens are particularly problematic. Sustained reductions in epidemiologically-related, perioperative S. aureus transmission events achieved via a multi-faceted approach including surveillance feedback optimization resulted in substantial SSI reductions (88% decrease). An evidence-based approach for attenuation of the perioperative bacterial inoculum2 must integrate improvements in provider hand hygiene, intravascular catheter design/handling, environmental cleaning/organization, and patient decolonization. In this application, we propose a type 1 hybrid effectiveness-implementation using a 2x2 factorial cluster-randomized design guided by RE-AIM. We aim to identify a best practice for addressing the perioperative ESKAPE inoculum. We will examine the relative effectiveness of increased site awareness and commitment to generating improvements via technical assistance (TA), team coaching implementation of an evidence-based set of interventions (EBIP), and TA or EBIP with ESKAPE transmission surveillance feedback. Our strong preliminary data from a randomized trial implementing a multifaceted program with surveillance has demonstrated substantial and statistically significant reductions in transmission of S. aureus and 90-day SSIs and recently reproduced our randomized trial findings in an additional external site. Therefore, our prior research strongly suggests that the proposed research should be done and justifies scaling up to dissemination and implementation. Our exceptional multidisciplinary team is well equipped to successfully complete the proposed trial and aims. In the proposed trial guided by RE-AIM, we will advance scientific knowledge and inform future dissemination and implementation by investigating how best to scale-up an already successful multifaceted approach to national dissemination through either TA or EBIP with or without surveillance. We will conduct a rigorous cost- effectiveness analysis including evaluation of net cost savings. The proposed trial guided by RE-AIM (Aim 1), the addition of 1-year follow-up for sustainability (Aim 2), and cost-effectiveness analysis (Aim 3) will provide the essential scientific knowledge to adopters and organizers to be able to reproduce the most effective delivery method of our interventions to their local setting in addition to informing our investigative team which approach to scale-up to reach national dissemination.

PROJECT NARRATIVE Surgical site infections (SSIs) are associated with increased patient morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. ESKAPE (Enterococcus, S. aureus, Klebsiella, Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, and Enterobacter spp.) pathogens are particularly pathogenic because they have increased capacity to acquire resistance and virulence traits. We have proven that a multifaceted program involving improved basic perioperative preventive measures can generate substantial reductions in S. aureus transmission and significant reductions in SSIs (88% reduction as compared to usual care). In this study, we aim to examine the relative effectiveness of each component of this program in controlling ESKAPE transmission and reducing SSIs and to identify an optimal implementation strategy for national dissemination. This work will improve perioperative patient safety for the 51 million patients who undergo surgery each year.