title: Sternal Wound Infection Prediction Scale: a test of the reliability and validity.
abstract: The purpose of the present study was to determine the reliability and validity of the Sternal Wound Infection Prediction Scale. The tool was developed to fill the need for a quick and easy way to determine which patients are at risk of developing a sternal wound infection in order that preventive measures can be instituted. Data were collected by a retrospective chart review of 56 patient records, 27 who developed a sternal wound infection and 29 who did not. In this group of patients, obesity and diabetes were found to be statistically significant risk factors. Pharmacological support was found to be a clinically significant factor. Of the infected group, 68.4% of patients who developed a sternal wound infection were predicted to do so by the tool.
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina, Charlotte, 28210, USA.
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Troutman
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Hussey
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hynan
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lucisano
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control