Correlation of Risk and Postoperative Assessment Methods in Wound Surveillance

BackgroundVarious surveillance methods have been described for surveillance of surgical site infections (SSI). The aim of this study was to examine practicality of SSI risk assessment methods (Study on the Efficacy of Nosocomial Infection Control [SENIC] and National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance [NNIS]) with a postoperative wound monitoring scale (ASEPSIS) as an outcome assessment measure.Materials and methodsPatients were followed with a prospective data chart from January 1, 2003, to December 31, 2005. Correlation of SENIC and NNIS together with ASEPSIS were performed.ResultsDuring the study period, 222 SSI occurred. SSIs were determined within the 21-d period after operations. Correlation between SENIC with ASEPSIS (rs = 0.47, P < 0.001) was found better than that for NNIS with ASEPSIS (rs = 0.41, P < 0.001). Type of operation (emergency versus elective), body mass index, operation class, and American Society of Anesthesiologists scores were found independently predictive factors for SSI.ConclusionsThis study indicates weak but significant correlation between preoperative risk assessment methods for SSI and ASEPSIS.