 |
| Surgical Infection Prevention
Hospitals can reduce the risk of wound infection after surgery by making sure patients get the right medicines at the right time on the day of their surgery. These measures show some of the standards of care.
The rates displayed in this graph are from data reported for discharges October 2008 through September 2009.
Information provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Hospital Compare (a quality tool by Medicare)
 |
Why is this Important?
Surgical wound infections can be prevented. Medical research shows that surgery patients who get antibiotics within the hour before their surgery are less likely to get wound infections. Getting an antibiotic earlier, or after surgery begins, is not as effective. Hospital staff should make sure surgery patients get antibiotics at the right time. Higher percentages are better. |
 |
Why is this Important?
Surgical wound infections can be prevented. Medical research has shown that certain antibiotics work better to prevent wound infections for certain types of surgery. Hospital staff should make sure patients get the antibiotic that works best for their type of surgery. Higher percentages are better. |
 |
Why is this Important?
Antibiotics are often given to patients before surgery to prevent infection. Taking these antibiotics for more than 24 hrs after surgery is usually not necessary. Continuing the medication longer than necessary can increase the risk of side effects such as stomach aches and types of diarrhea. Also, when antibiotics are used for too long, patients can develop resistance to them and the antibiotics won’t work as well. Higher percentages are better. |
 |
Why is this Important?
Preparing a patient for surgery may include removing body hair from skin in the area where the surgery will be done. Medical research has shown that shaving with a razor can increase the risk of infection. It is safer to use electric clippers or hair removal cream. Higher percentages are better. |
 |
Why is this Important?
Certain surgeries increase the risk of the patient developing a blood clot. When patients stay still for a long time after some types of surgery, they are more likely to develop a blood clot in the veins of the legs, thighs, or pelvis. A blood clot slows down the flow of blood, causing swelling, redness, and pain. A blood clot can also break off and travel to other parts of the body. If the blood clot gets into the lung, it is a serious problem that can cause death.
To help prevent blood clots from forming after surgery, doctors can order treatments including blood-thinning medications, elastic support stockings, or mechanical air stockings that help with blood flow in the legs. Higher percentages are better. |
 |
Why is this Important?
Many factors influence a surgery patient’s risk of developing a blood clot, including the type of surgery. When patients stay still for a long time after some types of surgery, they are more likely to develop a blood clot in the veins of the legs, thighs, or pelvis. A blood clot slows down the flow of blood, causing swelling, redness, and pain. A blood clot can also break off and travel to other parts of the body. If the blood clot gets into the lung, it is a serious problem that can sometimes cause death.
Treatments to help prevent blood clots from forming after surgery include blood-thinning medications, elastic support stockings, or mechanical air stockings that help with blood flow in the legs. These treatments need to be started at the right time, which is typically during the period that begins 24 hours before surgery and |
 |
Why is this Important?
It is often standard procedure to stop patients’ usual medications for awhile before and after their surgery. But if patients who have been taking beta blockers suddenly stop taking them, they can have heart problems such as a fast heart beat. For these patients, staying on beta blockers before and after surgery makes it less likely that they will have heart problems. |
|
|
|
 |