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Health and economic impact of surgical site infections diagnosed after hospital discharge
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Health and economic impact of surgical site infections diagnosed after hospital discharge

Eli N Perencevich, Kenneth E Sands, Sara E Cosgrove, Edward Guadagnoli, Ellen Meara and Richard Platt
Emerging infectious diseases, Vol.9(2), pp.196-203
02/2003
DOI: 10.3201/eid0902.020232
PMCID: PMC2901944
PMID: 12603990
url
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid0902.020232View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Although surgical site infections (SSIs) are known to cause substantial illness and costs during the index hospitalization, little information exists about the impact of infections diagnosed after discharge, which constitute the majority of SSIs. In this study, using patient questionnaire and administrative databases, we assessed the clinical outcomes and resource utilization in the 8-week postoperative period associated with SSIs recognized after discharge. SSI recognized after discharge was confirmed in 89 (1.9%) of 4,571 procedures from May 1997 to October 1998. Patients with SSI, but not controls, had a significant decline in SF-12 (Medical Outcomes Study 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey) mental health component scores after surgery (p=0.004). Patients required significantly more outpatient visits, emergency room visits, radiology services, readmissions, and home health aide services than did controls. Average total costs during the 8 weeks after discharge were US dollars 5,155 for patients with SSI and US dollars 1,773 for controls (p<0.001).
 Quality of Life Hospital Costs Severity of Illness Index Humans Surgical Wound Infection - economics Patient Discharge Cost of Illness Male Health Care Costs Hospitals Surgical Wound Infection - diagnosis Female Surveys and Questionnaires Cohort Studies

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