Surgical site infections
Surgical
site infection (SSI) is the most common and costly health care-associated
infection (HAI), occurring in nearly 5 percent of patients undergoing inpatient
surgery. Annual financial costs are estimated at $3.5 to $10 billion. The
emotional and physical costs to patients are staggering, including lengthened
hospital stays, readmissions and death. Experts estimate that up to 60 percent
of SSIs are preventable.
MHA
has developed an SSI road map outlining evidence-based recommendations and
standards for the development of prevention and quality improvement programs
that align process improvements with outcome data. Road maps reflect published
literature and guidance from relevant professional organizations and regulatory
agencies, as well as identified proven practices. MHA’s Healthcare-Associated
Infections (HAI) Committee provides expert guidance and oversight to all health
care-associated infection road maps.
The
SSI road map is intended for hospitals planning a comprehensive SSI
performance improvement project.