Postdischarge surveillance of surgical site infections: a multi-method approach to data collection

Surveillance of surgical site infections (SSIs) is an important clinical indicator of quality patient care, yet an increasing number of SSIs manifest after discharge and are not detected through standard surveillance methods.

This study evaluated a multimethod approach to postdischarge surveillance of SSIs with use of a cesarean section procedure as a case study.

A postdischarge questionnaire was sent on day 30 to women (n = 277) who had undergone cesarean section. A follow-up telephone interview was conducted if the questionnaire had not been returned within 2 weeks, a diagnosis of infection could not be clearly determined from the responses given, or to confirm the diagnosis of infection. If follow-up could not be made, a chart audit was undertaken.

A total response rate of 89% (247/277) was obtained. Twenty-one women with SSI were identified through questionnaire responses. Additional strategies of telephone follow-up and chart review of patients with possible infection and of nonresponders identified more postdischarge infections (33%, 14/42). The overall infection rate was 17% (42/247) compared with 2.8% (7/247) at discharge.

Postdischarge surveillance approaches need to achieve the best possible response rate, reflect follow-up health care delivery patterns, be cost-effective, gather data from both patients and treating physicians, and use standard definitions to facilitate benchmarking with other health care facilities and surveillance systems. The inclusion of contacting nonresponders in any method of postdischarge surveillance is recommended to determine the most accurate infection rate.