AFT2 KCM Task 3

Outstanding Patient Care Issue
The primary patient care issue highlighted in the tracer patient scenario is preventing and managing postoperative infections. The patient, a 67-year-old female, underwent a laparoscopic hysterectomy that was converted to an open procedure due to excessive bleeding. Five weeks later, she presented with fever and drainage, leading to a readmission for a suspected postoperative infection. Despite the subsequent surgical intervention to treat the abscess and inserting a central line for long-term antibiotics, the patient’s condition reflects a failure in infection prevention and early detection protocols. This incident raises concerns about the organization’s adherence to infection control guidelines and postoperative care practices, essential for ensuring patient safety and reducing avoidable readmissions.
One significant contributing factor to the patient’s condition is the potential breakdown in infection prevention measures during and after the initial surgery. The conversion from laparoscopic to open surgery, while necessary due to excessive bleeding, increased the patient’s risk of developing a surgical site infection (SSI). Proper adherence to sterile techniques, appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis, and effective postoperative wound care are critical in preventing diseases (Antonella Agodi, 2024). However, the development of an abscess suggests that either the initial infection control measures were inadequate or the patient’s risk factors were not adequately addressed. A thorough evaluation of the surgical team’s compliance with established infection prevention protocols is necessary to identify any lapses and implement corrective actions.
The patient’s readmission for fever and drainage seven days before her most recent surgery indicates a delay in recognizing and addressing the infection.