Researchers found several factors did and did not help determine risk for surgical site infections after coronary artery bypass graft surgery, according to a study published in the American Journal of Infection Control.
For their study, researchers assessed all patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery in New York in 2008. They relied on the New York State Cardiac Surgery Reporting System, a survey of hospital prevention practices and models to assess possible risk factors for surgical site infections.
Their analysis showed that the National Healthcare Safety Network risk score based on duration of surgery, American Society of Anesthesiologists score and wound class did not help predict the risk of chest surgical site infections. However, the researchers did find diabetes, obesity, end-stage renal disease, sex, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and Medicaid payor in a model helped discern which procedures resulted in infections by 25 percent.
The authors did note, however, there remained an unexplained variation in infection rates among hospitals.
For their study, researchers assessed all patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery in New York in 2008. They relied on the New York State Cardiac Surgery Reporting System, a survey of hospital prevention practices and models to assess possible risk factors for surgical site infections.
Their analysis showed that the National Healthcare Safety Network risk score based on duration of surgery, American Society of Anesthesiologists score and wound class did not help predict the risk of chest surgical site infections. However, the researchers did find diabetes, obesity, end-stage renal disease, sex, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and Medicaid payor in a model helped discern which procedures resulted in infections by 25 percent.
The authors did note, however, there remained an unexplained variation in infection rates among hospitals.
Related Articles on Surgical Site Infections:
Experts Outline Guidelines for Infection Prevention During Minor Surgeries
Surgical Site Infections May Be Higher Than Hospitals Actually Report
Superficial Surgical Site Infection a Reliable Measure of Quality