Original article
Computer-aided surveillance of surgical infections and identification of risk factors

https://doi.org/10.1016/0195-6701(89)90090-XGet rights and content

Abstract

A continuous record of postoperative surgical infections was carried out by electronic data processing (EDP) of 4340 orthopaedic and general operations. The overall infection rate was 6·3%, ranging from 2·3% (clean wounds) to 27·1% (dirty wounds). The corresponding deep infection rates were 1·6%, 0·4% and 4·6%. Employing a multiple logistic regression analysis, 10 risk factors were evaluated. Factors found to be significant were: wound contamination, department, duration of operation, date of operation and age, and in addition for the department of general surgery: surgeon, planning of operation, length of preoperative stay and anatomic groups. A statistical model for identification of risk patients is described. Postoperative stay was on average 20·5 days longer in infected patients. We find that EDP-recording may result in an annual cost reduction of at least £175,000 for our hospital.

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This study was supported in part by a grant from the National Research Council for Medical Sciences.

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