The not-so-hidden costs of surgical site infections.
Surgical site infections (SSIs) adversely affect approximately 500,000 patients annually, causing immense human suffering and taking a huge financial toll on patients, hospitals, insurance companies, and the government. National organizations have made recommendations for reducing SSIs, and many advances have been made in evidence-based practice recommendations that result in fewer SSIs. Reusable electrocardiogram (ECG) lead wires can be a significant source of infection. One medical center near Richmond, VA, began using a disposable ECG lead wire set and wireless transceiver system and subsequently experienced a 40% decrease in SSIs.
Barnett
Todd E
TE
St Francis Medical Center, Midlothian, VA, USA.
D017281:Cost of Illness; D004209:Disposable Equipment / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000191:economics*; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000191:economics* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control