What care should you provide to a diabetic patient in the PACU to decrease their risk of surgical site infections?

Maintaining blood glucose levels per protocol and practicing hand hygiene are crucial components of care for diabetic patients in the PACU to decrease their risk of surgical site infections. Elevated blood glucose levels can impair wound healing and increase the likelihood of infection, as high sugar levels can compromise the immune response and encourage bacterial growth. Therefore, closely monitoring and managing glucose levels is essential for these patients.

Hand hygiene is another vital measure that helps prevent the transmission of pathogens, thereby reducing the risk of infections at the surgical site. Proper hand hygiene practices by healthcare workers, particularly before and after patient contact, create a sterile environment that is critical in the PACU setting, especially for patients with additional risks like diabetes.

In contrast, while increasing patient mobility is beneficial for overall recovery, it should be done cautiously and is not specifically aimed at preventing infections. Administering prophylactic antibiotics is typically based on surgical protocols and might already be done before surgery rather than post-operatively in PACU. Avoiding frequent monitoring of vital signs would not be aligned with appropriate PACU care as consistent monitoring is essential to detect any complications early.