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.
Copyright © 2017 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.