INTRODUCTION: Surgical Site Infection (SSI) is a global event, which is responsible for increased health costs, and high mortality and mobility among patients. The main objectives of this Study are the assessment of SSI incidence rate and the identification of associated risk variables. METHODS: The Study was developed prospectively, in a Portuguese Private Hospital Facility, during 3 months, in 2010. Using a non probabilistic and sequential sample, SSI active surveillance was performed on all adult surgical patients, for a 1-month follow-up period. The criteria used to define SSI were based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definition. The methods for SSI identification were multimodal, including surgical wound observation, spontaneous notification of healthcare team, multidisciplinary discussion of cases, and systematic review of clinical notes, laboratory-based identification, and telephonic interview for post-operative status assessment. All cases were validated by the researcher and/or the assistant Surgeon. RESULTS: 471 patients (475 surgeries) were analyzed, whom 16 developed SSI – 9 superficial incisional and 7 deep incisional SSI were reported – which made up an Incidence Rate of 3,4%. As SSI associated variables, there were found: “Surgery Duration > Global 75th Percentile” (p=0,002; RR=4,78; IC95% 1,74–13,12), “Surgical Skin Preparation with Benzalkonium” (p=0,017; RR=7,83; IC95% 1,03–59,50), “Open Wound or Surgical Drain Use” (p=0,005; RR=6,02; IC95% 1,75-20,69) “Surgical Complexity Score ≥ Median” (p=0,012; RR=3,48; IC95% 1,34-9,06), “Days of Primary Hospital Stay ≥ Median” (p=0,001; RR=4,93; IC95%=1,84-13,19), “Further Surgery” (p=0,009; RR=7,60; IC95% 2,49-23,69), “Patient Satisfaction Rate ≤ 4” (p=0,013; OR=4,24; IC95% 1,37-13,11). CONCLUSION: They were identified some SSI associated variables, which should be considered according to the Investigation background and purpose. Specific studies using regression models are need to infer the predition of SSI, and causability among its risk factors, in different populations.
| Date of Award | 2012 |
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| Original language | Portuguese |
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| Awarding Institution | - Universidade Católica Portuguesa
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| Supervisor | Fernando Mena Martins (Supervisor) |
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