ARTICLES
Mediastinitis is a rare surgical site infection that occurs after cardiac surgery. It is a deep infection below the sternum and into the chest cavity. Mediastinitis has devastating consequences for the patient including increased risk of mortality, longer length of stay, and re-operation. Patients also experience significant financial and psychosocial burdens as a result of mediastinitis. Mutiple organizations have focused efforts on reducing surgical site infections such as mediastinitis. National Patient Safety Goal No. 7 from The Joint Commission (2010) is to reduce the risk of healthcare associated infections. In addition, The Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services has assigned mediastinitis as a “Never Event” for which hospitals receive reduced reimbursement.
Ultimately, the successful implementation of optimization and continuous improvement initiatives necessary to promote efficient, patient-centric care within a healthcare organization is dependent on management support. The process of linking quality initiatives to financial results has been termed 'building the business case' for quality improvements within healthcare. Faculty from the Purdue College of Technology, in partnership with faculty from the Purdue Statewide Campuses, have developed and implemented a methodology for standardized evaluation of the financial impact of operational and patient care improvement projects.