Hospital Reporting of Surgical-Site Infection Rates

California hospitals are required to report surgical-site infection rates for 26 procedures to the CDC, and ultimately the public.  Beginning January 2012 the following information will be available on the CDPH website.  

California hospitals are required to report surgical-site infection rates for 26 procedures to the CDC, and ultimately the public.  Beginning January 2012 the following information will be available on the CDPH website.  

Information regarding the incidence rate of deep or organ space surgical site infections, orthopedic, cardiac, and gastrointestinal surgical procedures designated as clean and clean-contaminated, acquired at each health facility in California, including information on the number of inpatient days

Hospitals need to prepare for the response of the public and also expect that this information will find its way into reimbursement decisions and the assignment of penalties for high rates.

Hospital-acquired infections do lead to higher costs and poorer patient outcomes.  In this case, prevention truly is the best medicine for both patients and hospitals.