Improving SSI surveillance after total hips, knees

Editor's Note

Medical chart review for surgical site infections (SSIs) that were identified through administrative data is an efficient supplemental SSI surveillance strategy following total hip and knee arthroplasty, this study finds.

Of 162 patients with potential SSIs identified by diagnosis or procedure code, 46 (28%) were confirmed as an SSI by an infection control professional.

Administrative data-triggered medical chart review with infection control professional confirmation resulted in a 1.1 to 1.7-fold increase in SSI rate compared with traditional surveillance. 

a1 Infection Prevention and Control, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada a2 Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada a3 Data Integration, Measurement, and Reporting, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada a4 Alberta Bone and Joint Health Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada Abstract OBJECTIVE To evaluate hospital administrative data to identify potential surgical site infections (SSIs) following primary elective total hip or knee arthroplasty.