Associations of Hospital Length of Stay with Surgical Site Infections

Background

Surgical site infections (SSI) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in surgical patients. Postoperative and total hospital length of stay (LOS) are known to be prolonged by the occurrence of SSI. Preoperative LOS may increase the risk of SSI. This study aims at identifying the associations of pre- and postoperative LOS in hospital and intensive care with the occurrence of SSI.

Methods

This observational cohort study includes general, orthopedic trauma and vascular surgery patients at two tertiary referral centers in Switzerland between February 2013 and August 2015. The outcome of interest was the 30-day SSI rate.

Results

We included 4596 patients, 234 of whom (5.1%) experienced SSI. Being admitted at least 1 day before surgery compared to same-day surgery was associated with a significant increase in the odds of SSI in univariate analysis (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.25–2.21, p?<?0.001). More than 1 day compared to 1 day of preoperative hospital stay did not further increase the odds of SSI (OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.77–1.50, p?=?0.658). Preoperative admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) increased the odds of SSI as compared to hospital admission outside of an ICU (OR 2.19, 95% CI 0.89–4.59, p?=?0.057). Adjusting for potential confounders in multivariable analysis weakened the effects of both preoperative admission to hospital (OR 1.38, 95% CI 0.99–1.93, p?=?0.061) and to the ICU (OR 1.89, 95% CI 0.73–4.24, p?=?0.149).

Conclusion

There was no significant independent association between preoperative length of stay and risk of SSI while SSI and postoperative LOS were significantly associated.

     

Surgical Perspective on Invasive Candida Infections

Candida infections have become a major source of morbidity and mortality in the modern surgical intensive care unit. The most common risks for invasion and dissemination are the use of antibiotics, central venous lines, total parenteral nutrition, burns, immunosuppression, and other markers for severity of illness (APACHE > 10, ventilatory use for > 48 hours). Data suggest that colonization can be a late predictor of invasive disease in today’s critically ill surgical patient and that prophylaxis or early treatment in high risk patients is warranted, particularly before invasive/disseminated disease becomes life-threatening. When advanced disease is present, the diagnosis of invasive or disseminated Candida infection is often prompted by clinical suspicion and supported by consistent clinical data; laboratory tests alone lack sufficient sensitivity and specificity to direct therapeutic decision-making. Once the diagnosis of invasive or disseminated Candida infection is ascertained, early systemic treatment, along with treatment of localized infection, is as fundamental as with any other serious infectious disease. Reported toxicity and efficacy supports the use of fluconazole for most patients with invasive/disseminated Candida infections. For the most critically ill surgical patient amphotericin B remains the treatment of choice. Prophylaxis and early treatment strategies with minimally toxic agents may diminish the need to use more toxic therapy in the most severely ill patients.     

Impact of Surgical Training on Incidence of Surgical Site Infection

Background  Despite availability of other training forms, tutorial assistance cannot be entirely replaced in surgical education. Concerns exist that tutorial assistance may lead to an increased rate of surgical site infection (SSI). The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether the risk of SSI is higher after surgery with tutorial assistance than after surgery performed autonomously by a fully trained surgeon. Methods  All consecutive visceral, vascular, and traumatological inpatient procedures at a Swiss University Hospital were prospectively recorded during a 24-month period, and the patients were followed for 12 months to ascertain the occurrence of SSI. Using univariable and multivariable logistic regressions, we assessed the association of tutorial assistance surgery with SSI in 6,103 interventions. Results  Autonomously performed surgery was associated with SSI in univariable analysis (5.36% SSI vs. 3.81% for tutorial assistance, p = 0.006). In multivariable analysis, the odds of SSI for tutorial assistance was no longer significantly lower (Odds Ratio [OR] = 0.82; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.62–1.09; p = 0.163). Conclusions  Surgical training does not lead to higher SSI rate if trainees are adequately supervised and interventions are carefully selected. Although other forms of training are useful, tutorial assistance in the operating room continues to be the mainstay of surgical education.     

手术前备皮去毛方法与术后切口感染

从备皮方式对术后切口感染率的影响方面,总结术前剃毛备皮、剪毛备皮和脱毛备皮的特点与不足,提出为减少术后切口感染,最好采用不去毛或剪毛方式备皮,任何一种备皮方法都应注重皮肤的清洁.     

The Seasonal Variability of Surgical Site Infections in Knee and Hip Arthroplasty

Background

Surgical site infections (SSIs) after total knee (TKA) and total hip (THA) arthroplasty are devastating to patients and costly to healthcare systems. The purpose of this study is to investigate the seasonality of TKA and THA SSIs at a national level.

The Impact of Physician-owned Specialty Orthopaedic Hospitals on Surgical Volume and Case Complexity in Competing Hospitals

Published studies of physician-owned specialty hospitals have typically examined the impact of these hospitals on disparities, quality, and utilization at a national level. Our objective was to examine the impact of newly opened physician-owned specialty orthopaedic hospitals on individual competing general hospitals. We used Medicare Part A administrative data to identify all physician-owned specialty orthopaedic hospitals performing total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) between 1991 and 2005. We identified newly opened specialty hospitals in three representative markets (Durham, NC, Kansas City, and Oklahoma City) and assessed their impact on surgical volume and patient case complexity for the five competing general hospitals located closest to each specialty hospital. The average general hospital maintained THA and TKA volume following the opening of the specialty hospitals. The average general hospital also did not experience an increase in patient case complexity. Thus, based on these three markets, we found no clear evidence that entry of physician-owned specialty orthopaedic hospitals resulted in declines in THA or TKA volume or increases in patient case complexity for the average competing general hospital.     

Measures to Prevent Surgical Site Infections: What Surgeons (Should) Do

Background  

The present study was designed to evaluate surgeons’ strategies and adherence to preventive measures against surgical site infections (SSIs).