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The Impact of Surgical-Site Infections in the 1990s: Attributable Mortality, Excess Length of Hospitalization, And Extra Costs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Kathryn B. Kirkland ,
Jane P Briggs ,
Sharon L. Trivette ,
William E. Wilkinson  and
Daniel J. Sexton
Kathryn B. Kirkland*
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
Jane P Briggs
Affiliation:
Durham Regional Hospital, Durham, North Carolina
Sharon L. Trivette
Affiliation:
Durham Regional Hospital, Durham, North Carolina
William E. Wilkinson
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina Department of Community and Family Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
Daniel J. Sexton
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina Durham Regional Hospital, Durham, North Carolina
*
Box 3306, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710
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Abstract

Objective:

To determine mortality, morbidity, and costs attributable to surgical-site infections (SSIs) in the 1990s.

Design:

A matched follow-up study of a cohort of patients with SSI, matched one-to-one with patients without SSI.

Setting:

A 415-bed community hospital.

Study Population:

255 pairs of patients with and without SSI were matched on age, procedure, National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System risk index, date of surgery, and surgeon.

Outcome Measures:

Mortality, excess length of hospitalization, and extra direct costs attributable to SSI; relative risk for intensive care unit (ICU) admission and for readmission to the hospital.

Results:

Of the 255 pairs, 20 infected patients (7.8%) and 9 uninfected patients (3.5%) died during the postoperative hospitalization (relative risk [RR], 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI95], 1.14.5). Seventy-four infected patients (29%) and 46 uninfected patients (18%) required ICU admission (RR, 1.6; CI95,1.3-2.0). The median length of hospitalization was 11 days for infected patients and 6 days for uninfected patients. The extra hospital stay attributable to SSI was 6.5 days (CI95, 5-8 days). The median direct costs of hospitalization were $7,531 for infected patients and $3,844 for uninfected patients. The excess direct costs attributable to SSI were $3,089 (CI95, $2,139-$4,163). Among the 229 pairs who survived the initial hospitalization, 94 infected patients (41%) and 17 uninfected patients (7%) required readmission to the hospital within 30 days of discharge (RR, 5.5; CI95, 4.0-7.7). When the second hospitalization was included, the total excess hospitalization and direct costs attributable to SSI were 12 days and $5,038, respectively.

Conclusions:

In the 1990s, patients who develop SSI have longer and costlier hospitalizations than patients who do not develop such infections. They are twice as likely to die, 60% more likely to spend time in an ICU, and more than five times more likely to be readmitted to the hospital. Programs that reduce the incidence of SSI can substantially decrease morbidity and mortality and reduce the economic burden for patients and hospitals.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 20 , Issue 11 , November 1999 , pp. 725 - 730
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1999

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