title: Does an information leaflet about surgical site infection (SSI) improve recollection of information and satisfaction of patients? A randomized trial in patients scheduled for digestive surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A previous study suggested that most surgical patients do not remember having received information about surgical site infection (SSI). In other fields, written information has been suggested to improve patient satisfaction and recollection of information. Our objective was to assess if providing patients with written information about SSI, in addition to oral information, could influence patient satisfaction, recall of information, and opinion regarding SSI.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 207 patients scheduled for digestive surgery at a university hospital were randomized between usual oral information about SSI, plus an information leaflet about SSI (group O/L), or usual oral information alone (group O). Patients were interviewed 5 weeks after surgery to assess their recall and satisfaction regarding information, opinion regarding SSI, and declared intention of seeking legal action in case of SSI. Surgeons and interviewer were blinded to patients' group allocation. Recruitment occurred between October 2005 and August 2006.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the original 207 patients, 161 patients (O/L=87, O=74) underwent operation and were interviewed as scheduled. Satisfaction was higher in group O/L (67% vs. O: 43%; P=0.003). The recall of having received information (O/L: 39% vs. O: 31%; P=0.29), was similar between the two groups. Judging SSI as always preventable was more frequent in group O/L (28% vs. O: 9%; P=0.004) with a trend toward a more frequent intention of seeking legal action (O/L: 10% vs. O: 3%; P=0.055).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The leaflet did not improve patient recall of information about SSI, but it was associated with an increased level of satisfaction. The association between the leaflet and judging SSI as always preventable was unexpected.
authors: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Rouen University Hospital, 1 rue de Germont, 76031, Rouen, France. Veronique.merle@chu-rouen.fr
authors: Véronique
authors: V
authors: Merle
authors: Hélène
authors: H
authors: Marini
authors: Julie
authors: J
authors: Rongère
authors: Marie-Pierre
authors: MP
authors: Tavolacci
authors: Michel
authors: M
authors: Scotté
authors: Pierre
authors: P
authors: Czernichow
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003142:Communication; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005602:France; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008370:Manuals as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome