The value of calling-back patients to detect surgical site infections following orthopaedic and neurological surgeries in a tertiary care centre in Lebanon

• DOI: 10.3396/ijic.v15i2.008.19
• Publication Date: 2019-07-03T09:02:28Z
• Authors: Joseph Tannous; Nada Kara Zahreddine; Souha S Kanj
• Keywords: Specialty

Surgical Site infections (SSIs) are a major source of morbidity, mortality and increased medical costs among patients undergoing surgeries. SSIs may be detected during hospitalization following surgery, upon readmission, through Emergency Department or clinic visits. Calling-back might used to detect in who seek care different centres. An active, patient-based, prospective surveillance for SSI orthopaedic neurological procedures was conducted between July September 2016 at the American University Beirut Medical Centre (AUBMC). 
 Trained infection control preventionist based on CDC/NHSN (Centers Disease Prevention/National Health Care Safety Network) definition NHSN methodology data collection by calling-back assessing signs symptoms 30 90 days after operative procedure using standardized checklist. initiated an increase rates particular surgeons these specialties. Rates were expressed as number designated specialty per 100 same benchmarked with International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) rates.
 No identified phone calls 178 assessed throughout period. Whereas, 2 routine hospital re-admissions one from review outpatient records. remained unchanged compared adopted 3.7% surgeries zero time active surveillance. Call-back programs beneficial obtain additional post-discharge information. However, have difficult their status possibility developing SSI. Moreover, this process found consuming, not successful identifying SSIs. Re-assessment method is essential examine value detecting