[Surgical wound infections--have we achieved all that is possible?]

There is still a solid foundation for a further reduction of surgical wound infections. Every twentieth surgical bed is occupied by a patient with this complication. Though three out of four wards register the infections, serious problems with the methods have been established. Thus, it would not be justifiable to use the current registrations for monitoring for clinical and administrative purposes. Death or serious health consequences are to many patients the reality after a wound infection; the social and economical costs are also important. Better systems for surveillance of infections or complications must be developed specifically for the Danish hospitals. The hygienic expertise must be strengthened. Increased resources based on long-term planning are required to prevent more wound infections. Hospital hygiene will be a suitable subject for quality improvement. The surgical specialties should be encouraged to settle standards for specific procedures as to acceptable levels of infection.