Seeing Is Preventing: Observation in Surgical Site Infection Risk Reduction

Session Description: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a significant type of healthcare- associated infection and are associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Although intrinsic patient factors such as age, underlying illness, and procedure site increase SSI risk, the quality of care delivered during the perioperative period is fundamental to our surgical infection prevention efforts. Because SSIs are both common and expensive, incorporating intraoperative observations into an infection prevention program is essential in understanding existing modifiable risks. This session will summarize and describe the findings of a team of experienced infection preventionists consulted to perform perioperative tracers in community hospitals. Between 2020 and 2025, over forty procedures were observed including hip and knee arthroplasties, colon and abdominal surgeries, gynecologic, cardiac, spinal, and ophthalmic procedures. The presenters will highlight key aspects of the perioperative period that should be closely monitored during an infection preventionist’s trip to the operating room. We will explore how to keep an eye on simultaneously occurring critical practices such as room traffic, maintenance of the sterile field, surgical attire, skin antisepsis and draping, safe medication and irrigation fluid management, and hand hygiene. Depending on the type of surgery, special considerations will be covered including the use of heater-cooler units in cardiac surgery, eye drops in ophthalmic procedures, patient skin antisepsis prior to gynecological surgery, and more!

Valerie Payne

Infection Prevention Program Manager, Duke Infection Control Outreach Network (DICON)

Valerie holds a Master of Public Health and has served as a practicing Infection Preventionist for the last 14 years in Texas, Arizona, and North Carolina. In these roles, she has experience in a variety of care settings including acute care, long term acute care, inpatient rehabilitation and ambulatory care. Valerie joined the Duke Infection Control Outreach Network in December 2021 to provide expert consultation to community hospitals and ambulatory healthcare settings. She has been certified in infection prevention and control by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology since 2014. In 2023, Valerie became a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality by the National Association for Healthcare Quality. Additionally, Valerie is an active participant in APIC North Carolina in a number of ways including mentorship, education and legislative committees. She has also held board positions including Chapter Secretary, Chapter President, and is currently serving as Chapter Legislative Representative.

Brittain Wood

Infection Prevention Program Manager, Duke Infection Control Outreach Network (DICON)

Brittain Wood, BSN, RN, CRCST, CIC is an Infection Prevention Program Manager with Duke Infection Control Outreach Network (DICON). He has previously held the position of Program Manager for Infection Prevention at Duke Raleigh Hospital. Brittain has been working in the field of infection prevention for 14 years and he is board certified in both Infection Control and Sterile Processing. Brittain is an active member of the North Carolina Association for Professionals in Infection Control where he has held many positions including Nominating and Awards committee member, Board Member, President of APIC North Carolina in 2022, and most recently as Chairperson of the Bylaws committee. APIC North Carolina awarded Brittain Practitioner of the Year in 2021.

Christina Cashatt

Infection Preventionist, NE ICAP/NE Medicine

I am a Certified in Infection Control (CIC) professional with over ten years of experience in infection prevention, program coordination, digital resource management, and community outreach. I currently work at Nebraska ICAP, a grant-funded, nonprofit organization supporting evidence-based infection prevention across healthcare and community settings. Previously, I served on a two-person infection prevention team at CHI CUMC–Bergan, overseeing a 300-bed academic medical center and multiple outpatient clinics, with responsibilities spanning regulatory compliance, collaboration, and program oversight. I have also held leadership roles as Past President of APIC Nebraska and as a member of APIC National’s Member Engagement Committee, contributing to statewide and national initiatives. My work includes coordinating the NICN Infection Prevention in School Settings conference, contributing to the NICE Book and Kids Health Zone newsletters, and managing web-based tools for NE ICAP’s school and dialysis programs, with a focus on accuracy, accessibility, and user engagement.