New study published by the New England Journal of Medicine examines ways to help reduce surgical-site infections

Written By Alicia Vial

LSU Health New Orleans faculty impact infection prevention research

NEW ORLEANS – Earlier this month, two LSU Health New Orleans' faculty members, Dr. Robert Zura and Dr. Jessica Rivera, participated in a research study that found cleaning surgical sites with iodine povacrylex and alcohol prior to surgery resulted in fewer post-surgical site infections in closed fractures. 

The study, Skin Antisepsis before Surgical Fixation of Extremity Fractures, published Feb. 1 in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), confronts how to prevent patients from acquiring an infection after orthopedic surgery, depending on if the patient has an open or closed extremity fracture. Thus, the study examined the effects of iodine povacrylex chlorhexidine gluconate as skin antisepsis before surgery to repair a fractured limb.

“LSU Health New Orleans faculty are committed to innovative research that works to prevent harm, advance treatment and cure diseases,” said LSU Health New Orleans Chancellor, Dr. Steve Nelson. “With less than 5% of submitted research studies earning a place in the New England Journal of Medicine each year, I am extremely proud for our amazing faculty to be part of this published work and the lifesaving discoveries it represents.”

Prior to joining LSU Health New Orleans, Dr. Rivera acted as the local study principal investigator at Brooke Army Medical. She received her M.D. from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine, completed her orthopedic surgical residency at San Antoinio Military Medical Center served 11 years of active-duty military service.

Dr. Zura served on the study’s adjudication committee, reviewing all participating 8,485 patient cases and reviewed and edited the final concept. He received his M.D. from Johns Hopkins University and completed an orthopedic trauma fellowship at the Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC. His work is featured in more than 150 peer-reviewed publications.

Every year, NEJM receives more than 5,000 original research reports, each of which are thoroughly evaluated for scientific accuracy and significance by experts in the scientific field. Ultimately, less than 5% of studies submitted to NEJM are published due to the rigorous review process, establishing the Skin Antisepsis before Surgical Fixation of Extremity Fractures as a compelling study.

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About LSU Health New Orleans
LSU Health New Orleans educates Louisiana's health care professionals. The state's health sciences university leader, LSU Health New Orleans includes a School of Medicine with campuses in Baton Rouge and Lafayette, the state's only School of Dentistry, Louisiana's only public School of Public Health, and Schools of Allied Health Professions, Nursing, and Graduate Studies. LSU Health New Orleans faculty take care of patients in hospitals and clinics throughout the region. In the vanguard of biosciences research, the LSU Health New Orleans research enterprise generates jobs and enormous annual economic impact. LSU Health New Orleans faculty have made lifesaving discoveries and continue to work to prevent, advance treatment   and cure disease.

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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