Dr. Elizabeth Bryce's multidisciplinary team from Vancouver General Hospital has been recognized for its innovative work to reduce the risk of surgical site infections (SSIs).

The team's results were recognized by the International Consortium for Prevention & Infection Control (ICPIC), which is endorsed by the World Health Organization.

"This achievement is a great example of how we are turning to innovation throughout the health system as a way of enhancing patient care and safety, while reducing costs," said British Columbia's Minister of Health Terry Lake.

The 12-month non-antibiotic pilot, called the Pre-Surgical Decolonization Project, involved more than 5,000 patients who were treated with MRSAid photodisinfection therapy before undergoing major surgery. The non-thermal light energy kills potentially harmful bacteria, viruses and fungi.

The pilot project saw SSIs decrease by 29 per cent when photodisinfection was paired with chlorhexidine body wipes before surgery. Photodisinfection was found to decrease the amount specific bacteria examined in the study in 80 per cent of cases.

"Our pilot marked the first time this combination of non-pharmaceutical therapies has been used in a hospital in North America to reduce SSIs," said Bryce, who is the regional medical director of infection prevention and control at Vancouver Coastal Health. "This technology not only has the potential to prevent infections but the money saved can then be reinvested into direct patient care."