St Bartholomew’s wins cardiac team title
A team of surgical site infection (SSI) champions at St Bartholomew’s Hospital have been named Cardiac Team of the Year at the Society of Cardiothoracic Surgery awards.
The team was recognised for their work in improving how infections after surgery are prevented and managed, leading to a significant drop in infection rates and better care for patients.
The SSI champions – made up of nurses, surgical care practitioners, theatre staff and surveillance staff – set up a dedicated network in 2020 to tackle inconsistencies in infection prevention and management after heart surgery.
Working closely with surgeons, anaesthetists, microbiologists, pharmacists and infection control teams, they introduced a new approach based on the latest evidence. They also ran regular training sessions and provided ongoing reminders and feedback to keep everyone on track.
Their efforts have paid off. Infection rates have fallen from over 10% in 2016 to just 2–3% in 2024. Staff are now consistently following best practice, which means fewer infections, shorter hospital stays and more efficient use of NHS resources. Nurses have also reported feeling more confident in managing wound care and raising issues quickly when needed.
The team has also supported innovative projects, including developing the Cardio-Adjustable Thoracic Support (CATS) vest to improve patient recovery and leading the WISDOM study, which uses artificial intelligence to help spot wound problems early.
Matron and project lead Rosalie Magboo said: “This award reflects the dedication and hard work of the SSI champions, whose efforts have not only improved care at St Bartholomew’s but are also influencing how infections are prevented and managed in other hospitals across the country.”
The team won in the Nursing and Allied Health Professionals category.
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