title: Detection of sepsis in the postoperative patient.
abstract: It becomes evident, therefore, that there is no one indicator, either clinical or laboratory, sufficient to diagnose infection in the postoperative patient. Only a skillful clinician using the multiple modalities available and combining them with a careful history and physical examination and a high index of suspicion will be able to diagnose and treat infection in a timely manner and so avoid the physical, emotional, and fiscal costs of a late or missed diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University Hospital, University of Medicine and Dentistry-New Jersey Medical School, Newark.
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Machiedo
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Suval
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery; D000038:Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D006801:Humans; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality