[Surveillance of the clinical course of 6,030 surgical wounds]

This report describes a 4 year prospective study of postoperative wound infections, utilizing a program of wound surveillance. Surgical wounds after 6030 operations of a general surgery service were surveyed by the authors and a specialist nurse, daily and in the follow up clinic for 30 days. Results were reported to all the surgeons monthly. The rates of infections demonstrated a decline over the years of surveillance. In the first year there was a 6.37 percent incidence of infection and the fourth year 4.7 percent. This represents an improvement in hospitalization days and expenses.