Validation of surgical site infection surveillance data in colon procedures reported to the Connecticut Department of Public Health

Am J Infect Control. 2017 Jun 1;45(6):690-691. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2017.02.002.

Abstract

A validation study of 692 patients undergoing colon surgery during the fourth quarter of 2012 identified 102 surgical site infections, of which 34% were not reported to the National Healthcare Safety Network. Possible reasons for underreporting included the misinterpretation of the National Healthcare Safety Network surgical site infection definition and variations in case-finding methods. Colon procedure denominator data were also reviewed to determine inaccuracies. Error rates were highest for implant presence (34%), endoscope use (32%), and procedure duration (33%).

Keywords: Health care-associated infections; National Healthcare Safety Network Surveillance System.

Publication types

  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Colon / surgery
  • Connecticut / epidemiology
  • Cross Infection / epidemiology*
  • Cross Infection / etiology
  • Digestive System Surgical Procedures / adverse effects
  • Digestive System Surgical Procedures / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Public Health Surveillance*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Surgical Wound Infection / epidemiology*
  • Surgical Wound Infection / etiology