Low-Value Clinical Practices: Knowledge and Beliefs of Spanish Surgeons and Anesthetists.

OBJECTIVES: To know the frequency and causes of low value surgical practices, according to the opinion of surgeons and anesthetists, and to determine their degree of knowledge about the Spanish "Choosing wisely" initiative. METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study, based on a self-administered online questionnaire through an opportunistic sample of 370 surgeons and anesthetists from three Spanish regions, contacted through Scientific Societies. The survey took part between July and December 2017. RESULTS: A patient profile requesting unnecessary practices was identified (female, 51-65 years old and unaffiliated disease). The frequency of requests was weekly or daily for 50.0% of the professionals, of whom 15.1% acknowledged succumbing to these pressures. To dissuade the patient, clinical reasons (47%) were considered the most effective. To increase control and safety in the case was the main reason to indicate them. The greatest responsibility for overuse was attributed to physicians, defensive medicine and mass media. Assessing professionals' knowledge on unnecessary practices, an average of 5 correct answers out of 7 was obtained. Some 64.1% of the respondents were unaware of the Spanish "Choosing wisely" initiative. CONCLUSIONS: Low value surgical practices are perceived as a frequent problem, which requires an approach entailing intervention with patients and the media as well as professionals. Increase awareness on unnecessary surgical practices, and how to avoid them remain essential.

Risk Analysis for Patient Safety in Surgical Departments: Cross-Sectional Design Usefulness.

(1) Background: Identifying and measuring adverse events (AE) is a priority for patient safety, which allows us to define and prioritise areas for improvement and evaluate and develop solutions to improve health care quality. The aim of this work was to determine the prevalence of AEs in surgical and medical-surgical departments and to know the health impact of these AEs. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study determining the prevalence of AEs in surgical and medical-surgical departments was conducted and a comparison was made among both clinical areas. A total of 5228 patients were admitted in 58 hospitals in Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Peru, within the Latin American Study of Adverse Events (IBEAS), led by the Spanish Ministry of Health, the Pan American Health Organization, and the WHO Patient Safety programme. (3) Results: The global prevalence of AEs was 10.7%. However, the prevalence of AEs in surgical departments was 11.9%, while in medical-surgical departments it was 8.9%. The causes of these AEs were associated with surgical procedures (38.6%) and nosocomial infections (35.4%). About 60.6% of the AEs extended hospital stays by 30.7 days on average and 25.8% led to readmission with an average hospitalisation of 15 days. About 22.4% resulted in death, disability, or surgical reintervention. (4) Conclusions: Surgical departments were associated with a higher risk of experiencing AEs.

Local prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Enterobacteriaceae intestinal carriers at admission and co-expression of ESBL and OXA-48 carbapenemase in Klebsiella pneumoniae: a prevalence survey in a Spanish University Hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) faecal carriers at admission in a University Hospital in Spain. DESIGN: Prevalence survey. SETTING: Pneumology, gastroenterology, urology and neurosurgery units at a university tertiary hospital in Madrid (Spain). PARTICIPANTS: A total of 10 643 patients aged 18 and older admitted from March 2014 to April 2016 with a rectal swab taken at admission or as soon as possible within the first 48 hours. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of ESBL-E faecal carriers and prevalence of ESBL-E infections at admission. RESULTS: The prevalance of ESBL-E carriers at admission was 7.69% (CI 95% 7.18 to 8.19). Most of the isolates were Escherichia coli (77.51%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (20.71%). Eighty-eight (10.41%) of ESBL-E were simultaneous ESBL and carbapenemase (CP) producers, 1.83% in the case of E. coli and 42.86% among K. pneumoniae isolates. Of the ESBL typed, 52.15% belonged to the cefotaximases (CTX-M-15) type and 91.38% of the CP were oxacillinase (OXA-48) type. Only 0.43% patients presented an active infection by ESBL-E at admission. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence found in our study is very similar to that found in literature. However, we found a high percentage of simultaneous ESBL and CP producers, particularly in K. pneumoniae. Despite the high prevalence of colonised patients, the ESBL-infection rate at admission was very low.

[Patient Safety Culture and teaching: an ins- trument to evaluate knowledge and perceptions among different health professionals of the Madrid Region health system]. / Cultura de Seguridad del Paciente y Docencia: un instrumento para evaluar conocimientos y percepciones en profesionales del sistema sanitario de la Comunidad de Madrid

OBJECTIVE: The patient safety culture (PSC) in health institutions depends on various organizational and human factors. Our aim was to evaluate, as a teaching strategy, the knowledge in patient safety and perceptions about the PSC. METHODS: A convenience sample, with 122 health professionals from Regional Minister of Health's patient safety courses attendees in 2015. Be- fore each course, were delivered a knowledge questionnaire about patient safety (own elaboration) and a validated PSC questionnaire (estimating 3 dimensions: managerial support, perception of safety and expectations / actions). Valuations on CSP were recategorized in positive, negative and neutral, identifying strengths (greater than or equal to 75% of positive evaluations) and opportunities for improvement (greater than or equal to 50% of negative evaluations). At the end of each course an anonymous satisfaction questionnaire was delivered. RESULTS: 60% responded correctly to questions about knowledge in patient safety, identifying areas for improvement in safe practices (hand hygiene and microorganisms resistant to antibiotics, with 66% and 61% of incorrect answers, respectively), and in management of health risks (investigation and identification of adverse events, with 62% and 56% of incorrect answers, respectively). 80% considered the institutional PSC positive, and the perception of safety as an opportunity for improvement (63.9% of negative evaluations). Thus, 88% admitted worrying about patient safety only after adverse incidents, and 65% felt afraid to talk about them. The satisfaction with the teaching methodology was 9.3 points out of 10. CONCLUSIONS: The overall assessment of PSC was mostly positive, identifying specific areas for improvement that allowed orienting the training in patient safety, motivating the participants and suggesting intervention strategies to improve patient safety in our organizations.

OBJETIVO: La cultura de seguridad del paciente (CSP) en las instituciones sanitarias depende de diversos factores organizativos y humanos. Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar, como estrategia docente, los conocimientos y percepciones sobre la CSP. METODOS: Muestra de conveniencia, con 122 profesionales sanitarios y no sanitarios, que asistieron en 2015 a cursos sobre seguridad del paciente organizados por la Consejería de Sanidad de Madrid. Antes de cada curso, autocompletaron un cuestionario de conocimientos sobre seguridad del paciente (elaboración propia) y otro cuestionario validado sobre CSP (estimando 3 dimensiones: apoyo directivo, percepción de seguridad y expectativas/ acciones). Las valoraciones sobre la CSP se recategorizaron en positivas, negativas y neutras, identificando fortalezas (mayor o igual al 75% de valoraciones positivas) y oportunidades de mejora (mayor o igual al 50% de valoraciones negativas). Al finalizar cada curso, cumplimentaron un cuestionario anónimo de satisfacción. RESULTADOS: El 60% respondió correctamente a las preguntas sobre conocimientos en seguridad del paciente, identificando áreas de mejora en prácticas seguras (higiene de manos y microorganismos resistentes a antibióticos, con 66% y 61% de respuestas incorrectas, respectivamente), y en gestión de riesgos sanitarios (investigación e identificación de eventos adversos, con el 62% y 56% de respuestas incorrectas, respectivamente). El 80% consideró positiva la CSP institucional, y la percepción de seguridad como oportunidad de mejora (63,9% de valoraciones negativas). Así, el 88% reconocía preocuparse por la seguridad del paciente sólo tras incidentes adversos, y el 65% sentía miedo a hablar sobre estos. La satisfacción con la metodología docente fue de 9,3 puntos sobre 10. CONCLUSIONES: La valoración global de la CSP fue mayoritariamente positiva, identificándose áreas de mejora específicas utilizadas como estrategia docente para ilustrar conceptos, motivar a los participantes y sugerir estrategias de intervención para mejorar la cultura de seguridad del paciente en nuestras organizaciones.

Cultura de Seguridad del Paciente y Docencia: un instrumento para evaluar conocimientos y percepciones en profesionales del sistema sanitario de la Comunidad de Madrid / Patient Safety Culture and teaching: an instrument to evaluate knowledge and perceptions among different health professionals of the Madrid Region health system

Fundamentos: La cultura de seguridad del paciente (CSP) en las instituciones sanitarias depende de diversos factores organizativos y humanos. Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar, como estrategia docente, los conocimientos y percepciones sobre la CSP. Métodos: Muestra de conveniencia, con 122 profesionales sanitarios y no sanitarios, que asistieron en 2015 a cursos sobre seguridad del paciente organizados por la Consejería de Sanidad de Madrid. Antes de cada curso, autocompletaron un cuestionario de conocimientos sobre seguridad del paciente (elaboración propia) y otro cuestionario validado sobre CSP (estimando 3 dimensiones: apoyo directivo, percepción de seguridad y expectativas/acciones). Las valoraciones sobre la CSP se recategorizaron en positivas, negativas y neutras, identificando fortalezas (≥75% de valoraciones positivas) y oportunidades de mejora (≥50% de valoraciones negativas). Al finalizar cada curso, cumplimentaron un cuestionario anónimo de satisfacción. Resultados: El 60% respondió correctamente a las preguntas sobre conocimientos en seguridad del paciente, identificando áreas de mejora en prácticas seguras (higiene de manos y microorganismos resistentes a antibióticos, con 66% y 61% de respuestas incorrectas, respectivamente), y en gestión de riesgos sanitarios (investigación e identificación de eventos adversos, con el 62% y 56% de respuestas incorrectas, respectivamente). El 80% consideró positiva la CSP institucional, y la percepción de seguridad como oportunidad de mejora (63,9% de valoraciones negativas). Así, el 88% reconocía preocuparse por la seguridad del paciente sólo tras incidentes adversos, y el 65% sentía miedo a hablar sobre estos. La satisfacción con la metodología docente fue de 9,3 puntos sobre 10. Conclusiones: La valoración global de la CSP fue mayoritariamente positiva, identificándose áreas de mejora específicas utilizadas como estrategia docente para ilustrar conceptos, motivar a los participantes y sugerir estrategias de intervención para mejorar la cultura de seguridad del paciente en nuestras organizaciones

Background: The patient safety culture (PSC) in health institutions depends on various organizational and human factors. Our aim was to evaluate, as a teaching strategy, the knowledge in patient safety and perceptions about the PSC. Methods: A convenience sample, with 122 health professionals from Regional Minister of Health's patient safety courses attendees in 2015. Before each course, were delivered a knowledge questionnaire about patient safety (own elaboration) and a validated PSC questionnaire (estimating 3 dimensions: managerial support, perception of safety and expectations / actions). Valuations on CSP were recategorized in positive, negative and neutral, identifying strengths (≥75% of positive evaluations) and opportunities for improvement (≥50% of negative evaluations). At the end of each course an anonymous satisfaction questionnaire was delivered. Results: 60% responded correctly to questions about knowledge in patient safety, identifying areas for improvement in safe practices (hand hygiene and microorganisms resistant to antibiotics, with 66% and 61% of incorrect answers, respectively), and in management of health risks (investigation and identification of adverse events, with 62% and 56% of incorrect answers, respectively). 80% considered the institutional PSC positive, and the perception of safety as an opportunity for improvement (63.9% of negative evaluations). Thus, 88% admitted worrying about patient safety only after adverse incidents, and 65% felt afraid to talk about them. The satisfaction with the teaching methodology was 9.3 points out of 10. Conclusions: The overall assessment of PSC was mostly positive, identifying specific areas for improvement that allowed orienting the training in patient safety, motivating the participants and suggesting intervention strategies to improve patient safety in our organizations

Comparison of two methods to estimate adverse events in the IBEAS Study (Ibero-American study of adverse events): cross-sectional versus retrospective cohort design.

BACKGROUND: Adverse events (AEs) epidemiology is the first step to improve practice in the healthcare system. Usually, the preferred method used to estimate the magnitude of the problem is the retrospective cohort study design, with retrospective reviews of the medical records. However this data collection involves a sophisticated sampling plan, and a process of intensive review of sometimes very heavy and complex medical records. Cross-sectional survey is also a valid and feasible methodology to study AEs. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to compare AEs detection using two different methodologies: cross-sectional versus retrospective cohort design. SETTING: Secondary and tertiary hospitals in five countries: Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico and Peru. PARTICIPANTS: The IBEAS Study is a cross-sectional survey with a sample size of 11 379 patients. The retrospective cohort study was obtained from a 10% random sample proportional to hospital size from the entire IBEAS Study population. METHODS: This study compares the 1-day prevalence of the AEs obtained in the IBEAS Study with the incidence obtained through the retrospective cohort study. RESULTS: The prevalence of patients with AEs was 10.47% (95% CI 9.90 to 11.03) (1191/11 379), while the cumulative incidence of the retrospective cohort study was 19.76% (95% CI 17.35% to 22.17%) (215/1088). In both studies the highest risk of suffering AEs was seen in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients. Comorbid patients and patients with medical devices showed higher risk. CONCLUSION: The retrospective cohort design, although requires more resources, allows to detect more AEs than the cross-sectional design.

'Epidemiology of surgical site infection in a neurosurgery department'.

OBJECTIVE: To know the rates of infection of the surgical wound in the Department of Neurosurgery between 2011 and 2014. METHODS: An observational, prospective study was conducted of the rates of surgical wound infection among patients admitted for more than 48 h to the Neurosurgery Department of a tertiary-level university hospital between July 2011 and December 2014. RESULTS: The study surveyed a total of 536 surgical procedures performed in 521 patients. The rate of diagnosed surgical site infection (SSI) was 4.85% (26 infections), below the established acceptable threshold of 5%. Of these, 65.38% were organ-space infections, 30.77% deep infections, and 7.69% superficial infections. Infection rates for each type of surgical procedure were 4.35% for spinal fusion, 0.00% for refusion of spine, 2.08% for laminectomy, 5.95% for ventricular shunt, and 5.14% for craniotomy. Antibiotic prophylaxis was evaluated as suitable in 80.22% of surgical procedures. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Infection rates were lower when the surgery was elective, clean, the patient had a lower ASA, and when suitable antimicrobial prophylaxis was administered. The rate of suitable antimicrobial prophylaxis shows that there is room for improvement. In order to minimize the risk of surgical wound infection, all professionals involved in patient care need to know and apply current recommendations, especially those relating to proper hand hygiene and suitable antibiotic prophylaxis.

Implantación de un sistema de vigilancia de infección de la herida quirúrgica al alta en herniorrafia y mastectomía / Implementation of a post-discharge surgical site infection system in herniorrhaphy and mastectomy procedures

INTRODUCCIÓN: La vigilancia tradicional de la infección de localización quirúrgica (ILQ) que se realiza durante el ingreso hospitalario puede infraestimar su incidencia, al ser cada vez más corta la estancia hospitalaria. El objetivo de este trabajo es conocer las tasas reales de ILQ prolongando la vigilancia después del alta. MÉTODOS: Se incluyó a todos los pacientes sometidos a los procedimientos de herniorrafia y mastectomía en el Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal entre el 1 de enero y el 31 de diciembre de 2011. Los datos de ILQ se recogieron prospectivamente según el sistema de vigilancia de infección nosocomial de Indicadores Clínicos de Mejora Continua de la Calidad (INCLIMECC). La vigilancia postalta (VPA) se realizó mediante encuesta telefónica. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 409pacientes en el estudio: 299herniorrafias y 110mastectomías. En herniorrafia la tasa de infección antes del alta era del 6,02%, incrementándose tras VPA al 7,69%. En mastectomía la tasa de infección antes del alta era del 1,8%, incrementándose tras VPA al 3,6%. Del total de infecciones se detectaron tras VPA el 50% en mastectomía y el 21,7% en herniorrafia. CONCLUSIONES: La VPA incrementó la incidencia de ILQ en los procedimientos estudiados; La VPA es útil para analizar la tendencia real de ILQ y evaluar posibles acciones de mejora. Es necesario estandarizar los protocolos de VPA

INTRODUCTION: Monitoring surgical site infection (SSI) performed during hospitalization can underestimate its rates due to the shortening in hospital stay. The aim of this study was to determine the actual rates of SSI using a post-discharge monitoring system. METHODS: All patients who underwent herniorraphy or mastectomy in the Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011 were included. SSI data were collected prospectively according to the continuous quality improvement indicators (Indicadores Clinicos de Mejora Continua de la Calidad [INCLIMECC]) monitoring system. Post-discharge follow-up was conducted by telephone survey. RESULTS: A total of 409 patients were included in the study, of whom 299 underwent a herniorraphy procedure, and 110 underwent a mastectomy procedure. For herniorrhaphy, the SSI rate increased from 6.02% to 7.6% (the post-discharge survey detected 21.7% of SSI). For mastectomy, the SSI rate increased from 1.8% to 3.6% (the post-discharge survey detected 50% of SSI). CONCLUSIONS: Post-discharge monitoring showed an increased detection of SSI incidence. Post-discharge monitoring is useful to analyze the real trend of SSI, and evaluate improvement actions. Post-discharge follow-up methods need to standardised

Surgical wound infection rates in Spain: data summary, January 1997 through June 2012.

BACKGROUND: The Indicadores Clínicos de Mejora Continua de la Calidad (INCLIMECC) program was established in Spain in 1997. METHODS: INCLIMECC is a prospective system of health care-associated infection (HAI) surveillance that collects incidence data in surgical and intensive care unit patients. The protocol is based on the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) surveillance system, formerly known as the National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance (NNIS) system, and uses standard infection definitions from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Each hospital takes part voluntarily and selects the units and surgical procedures to be surveyed. RESULTS: This report is a summary of the data collected between January 1997 and June 2012. A total of 370,015 patients were included, and the overall incidence of surgical wound infection (SWI) was 4.51%. SWI rates are provided by NHSN operating procedure category and NNIS risk index category. More than 27% of the patients received inadequate antibiotic prophylaxis, the main reason being unsuitable duration (57.05% of cases). CONCLUSIONS: Today, the INCLIMECC network includes 64 Spanish hospitals. We believe that an HAI surveillance system with trained personnel external to the surveyed unit is a key component not only in infection control and prevention, but also in a quality improvement system.

[Implementation of a post-discharge surgical site infection system in herniorrhaphy and mastectomy procedures]. / Implantación de un sistema de vigilancia de infección de la herida quirúrgica al alta en herniorrafia y mastectomía.

INTRODUCTION: Monitoring surgical site infection (SSI) performed during hospitalization can underestimate its rates due to the shortening in hospital stay. The aim of this study was to determine the actual rates of SSI using a post-discharge monitoring system. METHODS: All patients who underwent herniorraphy or mastectomy in the Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal from 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2011 were included. SSI data were collected prospectively according to the continuous quality improvement indicators (Indicadores Clinicos de Mejora Continua de la Calidad [INCLIMECC]) monitoring system. Post-discharge follow-up was conducted by telephone survey. RESULTS: A total of 409patients were included in the study, of whom 299 underwent a herniorraphy procedure, and 110 underwent a mastectomy procedure. For herniorrhaphy, the SSI rate increased from 6.02% to 7.6% (the post-discharge survey detected 21.7% of SSI). For mastectomy, the SSI rate increased from 1.8% to 3.6% (the post-discharge survey detected 50% of SSI). CONCLUSIONS: Post-discharge monitoring showed an increased detection of SSI incidence. Post-discharge monitoring is useful to analyze the real trend of SSI, and evaluate improvement actions. Post-discharge follow-up methods need to standardised.

Tendencia de la prevalencia de bacilos gramnegativos productores de betalactamasas de espectro extendido en un hospital universitario de Madrid / Trends in the prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing gram-negative bacilli in a teaching hospital in Madrid, Spain

Fundamento y objetivo: La prevalencia de infección/colonización por bacilos gramnegativos productores de betalactamasas de espectro extendido (BGN-BLEE) ha aumentado en los últimos años. El objetivo de este estudio es estimar la prevalencia de infección/colonización de estos microorganismos por cada 100 ingresos hospitalarios y analizar su tendencia a lo largo del período 2007-2010. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio observacional prospectivo de todos los pacientes con infección y/o colonización por BGN-BLEE ingresados entre enero de 2007 y diciembre de 2010 en el Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal. Para el cálculo de la prevalencia de infección/colonización por BGN-BLEE se siguieron las recomendaciones de la guía de indicadores de microorganismos multirresistentes de The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America y el Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committe. El análisis de la tendencia se realizó mediante regresión de Poisson, con el programa Joinpoint Regression 3.4.3 del U.S. National Institutes of Health. Resultados: A lo largo del período de estudio se observó una tendencia ascendente de la prevalencia para el conjunto de BGN-BLEE. El análisis de la tendencia con regresión de Poisson identificó un punto de inflexión significativo en el mes de agosto de 2009 (p = 0,014) (AU)

Background and objective: The prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing gram-negative bacilli has increased in recent years. The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of infection/colonization due to theses microorganisms per 100 admissions and its trend during the period 2007-2010. Patients and methods: Prospective observational study of all patients admitted from January 2007 to December 2010 infected or colonized with ESBL-producing gram-negative bacilli at Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal. The prevalence of infection/colonization of ESBL-producing gram-negative rods was calculated according to the recommendations for metrics for multidrug-resistant organisms in healthcare settings of The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee. To analyse trends, Poisson regression was used (Joinpoint Regression Program Version 3.4.3, U.S. National Institutes of Health). Results: Through the study period there was an upward trend of prevalence of all the ESBL-producing gram-negative bacilli. The Poisson trend analysis indentified a significant inflection point in August 2009 (p = 0.014). Conclusion: The inflection point in the prevalence of the ESBL-producing gram-negative bacilli trend can be explained by a slowdown in the prevalence of some microorganisms such as ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumonia (AU)

[Trends in the prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing gram-negative bacilli in a teaching hospital in Madrid, Spain]. / Tendencia de la prevalencia de bacilos gramnegativos productores de betalactamasas de espectro extendido en un hospital universitario de Madrid.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The pprevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing gram-negative bacilli has increased in recent years. The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of infection/colonization due to theses microorganisms per 100 admissions and its trend during the period 2007-2010. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective observational study of all patients admitted from January 2007 to December 2010 infected or colonized with ESBL-producing gram-negative bacilli at Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal. The prevalence of infection/colonization of ESBL-producing gram-negative rods was calculated according to the recommendations for metrics for multidrug-resistant organisms in healthcare settings of The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee. To analyse trends, Poisson regression was used (Joinpoint Regression Program Version 3.4.3, U.S. National Institutes of Health). RESULTS: Through the study period there was an upward trend of prevalence of all the ESBL-producing gram-negative bacilli. The Poisson trend analysis indentified a significant inflection point in August 2009 (p=0.014). CONCLUSION: The inflection point in the prevalence of the ESBL-producing gram-negative bacilli trend can be explained by a slowdown in the prevalence of some microorganisms such as ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Evaluación de la infección de herida quirúrgica en 14 hospitales de la Comunidad de Madrid: estudio de incidencia / Assessment of the surgical site infection in 14 hospitals of the Madrid Region: an incidence study

Introducción y objetivos: Las infecciones relacionadas con la asistencia sanitaria son una causa importante de mortalidad y morbilidad entre los pacientes. Una de las más frecuentes es la infección de localización quirúrgica (ILQ). Los objetivos del estudio eran conocer las tasas de ILQ y valorar la aplicación de los protocolos de preparación prequirúrgica y profilaxis antibiótica preoperatoria establecidos en 14 hospitales públicos de la Comunidad de Madrid. Material y métodos: Estudio prospectivo observacional multicéntrico que incluye a todos los pacientes intervenidos quirúrgicamente en los servicios sometidos a vigilancia e ingresados durante más de 48 h, entre el 1 de enero y el 31 de diciembre de 2009. Fueron vigilados desde el ingreso hasta el alta. Resultados: La ILQ fue la infección nosocomial más frecuente (superficial = 1,7%, profunda = 2%; órgano espacio= 1,7%). Se muestran las tasas de ILQ por procedimiento quirúrgico e índice de riesgo National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System, así como otros indicadores de calidad, como estancia hospitalaria,profilaxis antibiótica, mortalidad, reingresos por infección o complicación y tasa de reintervenciones quirúrgicas. Discusión: Los resultados obtenidos en este estudio multicéntrico no sólo pueden servir como referenciaa otros hospitales públicos, sino que también son comparables con otros sistemas de vigilancia internacionales. La vigilancia y el control de las infecciones asociadas a la asistencia sanitaria deben ser un aspecto clave en los programas de calidad asistencial y seguridad del paciente (AU)

Background and objectives: Health care-associated infections (HAIs) occur frequently in hospitals and have severe consequences, with surgical site infection (SSI) being one of the most commonly reported. The aim of this study was to determine SSI rates and to assess the application of presurgical preparation and antimicrobial prophylaxis protocols in 14 public hospitals of the region of Madrid. Material and methods: Multi-centre prospective surveillance study. All patients who underwent a surgical procedure from January 1 2009, to December 31, 2009 with a hospital stay of more than 48 hours, were monitored from the time of surgery until hospital discharge. Results: SSI was the most frequent HAI (superficial incisional SSI = 1.7%; deep incisional SSI = 2%; organ space SSI = 1.7%). SSI rates are provided by operative procedure and NNIS risk index category. Further quality indicators reported are surgical complications, length of stay, antimicrobial prophylaxis, mortality, readmission due to infection or other complications and revision surgery. Conclusions: The results obtained in this multicentre study can be used as a reference for other public hospitals, and allow comparisons with other international surveillance systems. Surveillance and control of HAIs must be a key aspect in patient safety and quality healthcare programs (AU)

[Assessment of the surgical site infection in 14 hospitals of the Madrid Region: an incidence study]. / Evaluación de la infección de herida quirúrgica en 14 hospitales de la Comunidad de Madrid: estudio de incidencia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Health care-associated infections (HAIs) occur frequently in hospitals and have severe consequences, with surgical site infection (SSI) being one of the most commonly reported. The aim of this study was to determine SSI rates and to asses the application of presurgical preparation and antimicrobial prophylaxis protocols in 14 public hospitals of the region of Madrid. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Multi-centre prospective surveillance study. All patients who underwent a surgical procedure from January 1 2009, to December 31, 2009 with a hospital stay of more than 48 hours, were monitored from the time of surgery until hospital discharge. RESULTS: SSI was the most frequent HAI (superficial incisional SSI=1.7%; deep incisional SSI=2%; organ-space SSI=1.7%). SSI rates are provided by operative procedure and NNIS risk index category. Further quality indicators reported are surgical complications, length of stay, antimicrobial prophylaxis, mortality, readmission due to infection or other complications and revision surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained in this multicentre study can be used as a reference for other public hospitals, and allow comparisons with other international surveillance systems. Surveillance and control of HAIs must be a key aspect in patient safety and quality healthcare programs.

Excess length of stay attributable to surgical site infection following hip replacement: a nested case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: We estimated the impact of hip replacement-associated surgical site infection (SSI) on morbidity and length of stay. METHODS: This was a pairwise matched (1 : 1) case-control study nested in a cohort. All patients who underwent hip replacement from January 1, 2000, to June 30, 2004, were prospectively enrolled for the nested case-control design analysis and were monitored from the time of surgery until hospital discharge, including any patients readmitted because of infection. RESULTS: Among the 1,260 hip replacements performed, 28 SSIs were detected, yielding a crude SSI rate of 2.2%. The median excess length of stay attributable to SSI was 32.5 days (P<.001), whereas the median prolonged postoperative stay due to SSI was 31 days (P<.001). Deep-wound SSI was the type that prolonged hospital stay the most (up to 49 days). Of the patients who developed an SSI, 4 required revision surgery, for an SSI-related morbidity rate of 14.3%. CONCLUSION: SSI prolongs hospital stay; however, although hospital stay is a rough indicator of the cost of this complication, to accurately estimate the costs of SSI, we would need to consider individual costs in a linear regression model adjusted for all possible confounding factors.

Results of the Spanish national nosocomial infection surveillance network (VICONOS) for surgery patients from January 1997 through December 2003.

BACKGROUND: In 1997, a national standardized surveillance system for nosocomial infections (NI) in surgery patients was established in Spain. This system, known as the VICONOS program, is based on the US National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System (NNISS). Herein, we present a summary of the data collected from January 1997 to December 2003. METHODS: VICONOS actively monitors all patients referred to the surgery ward of each participating hospital. The criteria used to define surgical site infection (SSI), patient risk index category, and surgical procedures used are those established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the NNISS. RESULTS: SSI rates are shown by operative procedure and NNISS risk index category. Standardized infection ratios (SIR) were calculated for the 7 surgical procedures most frequently performed to compare our rates with those published by the NNISS. We provide factors that can be used as quality indicators such as rates of main surgery complications, length of hospital stay, and presurgery prophylaxis. Also described are the most used antimicrobial agents, the microorganisms most frequently isolated, and the corresponding sites. CONCLUSION: VICONOS counts on the voluntary participation of 43 Spanish public hospitals. Our immediate plans are to incorporate new surveillance components and encourage new centers to join our network.