SSI: Surgical Site Infections
Why We Want to Prevent SSI
Surgical site infections are the most common healthcare-associated infection. They occur after surgery and can involve only the skin or can be more serious and include skin or organs.
SSIs occur in 2 to 5 percent of the 30 million people who undergo surgery every year and account for around 20 percent of healthcare-associated infections. Patients with SSIs are five times more likely to be readmitted to the hospital, 60 percent more likely to be admitted to the ICU, have mortality rates twice that of the average hospitalized patient and have lengths of stays seven days longer on average. Studies found that SSI is associated with nearly 1 million additional inpatient days and $1.6 billion in excess costs.
Success Within New Jersey Hospitals
Compared to baseline, New Jersey's hospitals have reduced SSIs by 15 percent, avoided 91 potential SSIs and saved $1,916,529 in unnecessary healthcare costs.
This was accomplished in part through hospital participation in collaborative efforts:
AHRQ Safety Program for Surgery
AHRQ Safety Program for Improving Surgical Care and Recovery
Our Goals Moving Ahead
By September 2018, each participating NJHIIN hospital will reduce SSI by at least 20 percent or sustain a rate of zero.
Resources
NJHIIN Webinars
