Korean J Nosocomial Infect Control.  2007 Jun;12(1):9-20.

Risk Factors for Surgical Site Infection among Patients in a General Hospital

• Lee S
• Kim S
• Lee J
• Lee K

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Despite prophylactic preoperative managements, surgical site infection (SSI) still has a significant influence on the mortality and morbidity of surgical patients because of an increased number of immunocompromised patients, prolonged anesthesia or an increased use of various operative equipments. In the end, it leads to an increase in hospital days and medical expenses. Therefore, we tried to find out significant risk factors for SSI in a general hospital.
METHODS
The study was carried out on the 1,239 patients who underwent a surgical operation in a general hospital, and the incidence rate and risk factors of SSI were analyzed.
RESULTS
Among the 1,239 patients, 33 (2.7%) had SSI and the incidence rate was 26.6 per 1,000 person. Of these, 27 (81.8%) and 6 (18.2%) developed an infection before and after discharge, respectively. The influencing factors of SSI were the dirty wound, the frequency of re-operation, the duration of preoperative hospitalization, and the duration of the operation. The most common pathogen isolated from the surgical site was Staphylococcus aureus (27.2%).
CONCLUSION
To prevent SSI, a professional group must be established to manage surgical sites and wounds, and the patients should be covered by strict standardized knowledge and guidance.

Keyword

Nosocomial infection; Surgical site infection; Risk factors

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia
Cross Infection
Hospitalization
Hospitals, General*
Humans
Immunocompromised Host
Incidence
Mortality
Risk Factors*
Staphylococcus aureus
Wounds and Injuries