Effect of a recommended shunt infection prevention protocol on perioperative practices and infection rates in the Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network–Quality

This first attempt to encourage standardization of perioperative practices for shunt infection prevention, by endorsing an evidence-based shunt infection prevention protocol for use at network sites, resulted in incremental protocol adoption. Many shunt procedures continue to occur without the cover of a protocol. Although adherence to a protocol did not appear to influence infection risk in the present analysis, an opportunity to improve remains, with a potential beneficial effect on infection rates to follow. The authors continue to work toward further improvement in this regard.