Closing the Perioperative Quality Gap: How Top UHS Hospitals Cut SSI and VTE by 30% Through Data-Driven Bundles
- SolvEdge
- Dec 30, 2025
- 5 mins read
Surgical site infections (SSI) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) continue to challenge even the strongest hospital systems. Despite impressive accreditations—including Joint Commission Gold Seal and Leapfrog “A” grades—many UHS facilities, such as Texoma Medical Center, show complication rates above national benchmarks: SSI around 1.3–1.5% versus 0.8–0.9%, VTE at 5–5.5% versus 3.9%, and elevated acute kidney injury.
Top-performing UHS hospitals are closing this perioperative quality improvement gap with comprehensive, data-driven bundles—achieving 30% reductions in both SSI and VTE while strengthening robotic surgery programs and preparing for 2026 orthopedic value-based payments.
The Persistent Perioperative Challenge
Even with system-wide wins—29% reduction in CLABSI and 41% in hospital-acquired pressure injuries—SSI and VTE persist due to:
Variation in antibiotic administration timing and selection
Inconsistent normothermia and glycemic control
Gaps in VTE prophylaxis adherence
Limited post-operative surveillance
These drive excess costs, readmissions, and quality penalties—making SSI prevention bundles 2025 and VTE reduction strategies UHS hospitals a strategic priority.
How Data-Driven Bundles Achieve 30% Reductions
Leading UHS hospitals deploy end-to-end perioperative bundles supported by real-time analytics:
Pre-operative: Risk stratification, chlorhexidine prep, staph screening, and patient optimization
Intra-operative: Weight-based, timed antibiotics; active warming; mechanical prophylaxis; minimally invasive/robotic techniques
Post-operative: Early ambulation, extended pharmacologic prophylaxis, digital recovery monitoring
Unified dashboards track compliance and outcomes, enabling rapid cycle improvement.
Proven Results in UHS Facilities
Anonymized high-performing UHS peers report:
SSI reduced by 30% — Driven by robotic precision and strict bundle adherence
VTE reduced by 30–35% — Through risk-adjusted prophylaxis and monitoring
Stronger orthopedic bundle payment outcomes 2026 positioning with lower complications and costs
Sustained or improved Leapfrog and Joint Commission metrics
Essential Components of a Winning SSI/VTE Bundle
| Component | Key Practice | Typical Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Antibiotic Prophylaxis | Timed, weight-based, re-dosing | SSI ↓25–35% |
| Normothermia & Glycemic Control | Active warming, tight glucose management | Overall complications ↓20–30% |
| VTE Prophylaxis | Combined mechanical + pharmacologic | VTE ↓30–40% |
| Digital Surveillance | PROMs, vital trends, early alerts | Readmissions ↓15–20% |
| Compliance Analytics | Real-time dashboards | Adherence >90% sustained |
Elevate Your UHS Facility’s Surgical Quality
Top UHS hospitals are reducing surgical site infections hospital-wide and VTE through integrated, data-driven bundles—protecting patients, margins, and reputation.
Request your customized SSI/VTE bundle compliance checklist and 2025–2026 readiness assessment today.