Surgical site infection: A comparison of multispecialty and single specialty outpatient facilities.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Reoperation secondary to surgical site infections can be a devastating complication in orthopaedic surgery. Infection rates in the ambulatory setting have been reported to be lower than those cited in a hospital setting. However, a direct comparative analysis of infection rates of orthopaedic procedures performed in a single specialty ambulatory surgical center (ASC) versus a multi-specialty ASC has, to our knowledge, not been performed.

METHODS:

Four surgeons performed more than 10,000 orthopaedic surgeries in a multispecialty and single specialty ambulatory setting over 8 years. These procedures were reviewed for postoperative deep infection within one year of initial operation.

RESULTS:

The post-surgical deep infection rate in a multi-specialty ASC was 0.81% in 2867 operations compared with a rate of 0.38% in 7311 operations performed in a single specialty ASC (p = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS:

This study demonstrated that the rate of infection leading to reoperation was significantly lower in a single specialty ambulatory surgery setting as opposed to one accommodating multiple specialties.

• Authors: Phillip Mitchell, Michael Gottschalk, Geanie Butts, John Xerogeanes
• Journal: Journal of orthopaedics (J Orthop) Vol. 10 Issue 3 Pg. 111-4 ( 2013) ISSN: 0972-978X [Print] India
• PMID: 24396225 (Publication Type: Journal Article)