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SCIP (Surgical Care Improvement)

The Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP) is a national quality partnership of organizations interested in improving surgical care by significantly reducing surgical complications. SCIP Partners include the Steering Committee of 10 national organizations who have pledged their commitment and full support for SCIP. They are:

  • The agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
  • The American College of Surgeons
  • The American Hospital Association
  • The American Society of Anesthesiologists
  • The Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
  • The Institute for Healthcare Improvement
  • The Joint Commission
  • The Veterans Health Administration

Surgical site infections account for 15% of all hospital-acquired infections. Patients who develop surgical site infections are twice as likely to die as other surgical patients. Huntington is deeply committed to providing the best surgical care that we can. SCIP has the most extensive list of quality indicators and is the most complex of the Core Measures. As such, we feel that this is an area where we need to be particularly diligent in our effort to strive for the utmost excellence.

Percentage of Patients Receiving Each Quality Indicator for SCIP in 2010

For a more detailed breakdown, beneath are a series of detailed explanations for each SCIP quality indicator with a chart showing the percentage of patients receiving that particular quality indicator by quarter against the annual state and national averages.

Quality Indicator: Prophylactic Antibiotic Start Within 1 Hour
Surgery patients who get antibiotics within an hour before their operations start are less likely to get infections. Getting an antibiotic after surgery begins, is not as effective: administering antibiotics at the right time is important.

Q1 2011 Q2 2011 Q3 2011 Q4 2011 State Average National Average
99% 97% 100% 97% 98% 98%

Quality Indicator: Prophylactic Antibiotic Selection for Surgical Patients
This indicator demonstrates the percentage of surgical patients that received the proper recommended preventative antibiotic(s) for their surgery.

Q1 2011 Q2 2011 Q3 2011 Q4 2011 State Average National Average
98% 98% 100% 98% 98% 98%

Quality Indicator: Prophylactic Antibiotics End within 24 Hours
Taking prophylactic antibiotics for more than 24 hours after a routine surgery is usually not necessary and can increase the chances of side effects. Overuse of antibiotics can also cause these medicines to be less effective.

Q1 2011 Q2 2011 Q3 2011 Q4 2011 State Average National Average
94%

92%

 91%

90%

 96% 97%

Quality Indicator: Cardiac Surgery Patients with Controlled Postoperative Glucose
This indicator measures the percentage of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)/cardiac surgery patients whose glucose is kept under good control in the days following surgery.

Q1 2011 Q2 2011 Q3 2011 Q4 2011 State Average National Average
100% 100% 92% 83% 94% 95%

Quality Indicator: Surgery Patients with Appropriate Hair Removal
Preparing a patient for surgery often includes removing body hair from the skin in areas where the surgery will be performed. Electric clippers or hair removal cream is considered safer than a razor which can cause skin abrasions that promote infection.

Q1 2011 Q2 2011 Q3 2011 Q4 2011 State Average National Average
100% 99% 100% 100% 100% 100%

Quality Indicator: Patients with Recommended VTE Prophylaxis Ordered
This indicator measures the percentage of surgical patients whose doctors ordered VTE (venous thromboembolism) prophylaxis treatments to prevent blood clots.

Q1 2011 Q2 2011 Q3 2011 Q4 2011 State Average National Average
85% 95% 98% 96% 96% 97%

Quality Indicator: Patients Receiving VTE Prophylaxis within 24 Hours Prior to or After Surgery
This indicator measures the percentage of surgical patients treated to prevent blood clots within 24 hours before or after surgery. The result is the improvement of blood flow to the heart.

Q1 2011 Q2 2011 Q3 2011 Q4 2011 State Average National Average
81% 96% 95% 95% 95% 95%

Quality Indicator: Patients on Beta Blockers PTA (Prior to Arrival) Who Received Beta Blockers Perioperatively
The preoperative period for the SCIP cardiac measures is defined as 24 hours prior to surgical incision through discharge from post-anesthesia care/recovery area. Studies have suggested that beta-blocker administration before surgery tends to enhance survival rates.

Q1 2011 Q2 2011 Q3 2011 Q4 2011 State Average National Average
87% 91% 91% 94% 95% 95%
Quality Agency Resources
Various official agencies and special interest groups monitor the quality of medical care in the United States. Links to reputable agencies that can provide you with independent data when evaluating your hospital are in the right column.

Go Back to our Commitment to Quality

Learn more about Core Measures