Do you have an infection problem?
In England and Wales more than 175 000 hip and knee arthroplasties were performed in 2012. There continues to be a steady increase in the demand for joint arthroplasty because of population demographics and improving survivorship. Inevitably though the absolute number of periprosthetic infections will probably increase with severe consequences on healthcare provision. The Department of Health and the Health Protection Agency in United Kingdom established a Surgical Site Infection surveillance service (SSISS) in 1997 to undertake surveillance of surgical site infections. In 2004 mandatory reporting was introduced for one quarter of each year. There has been a wide variation in reporting rates with variable engagement with the process. The aim of this article is to improve surgeon awareness of the process and emphasise the importance of engaging with SSISS to improve the quality and type of data submitted. In Exeter we have been improving our practice by engaging with SSISS. Orthopaedic surgeons need to take ownership of the data that are submitted to ensure these are accurate and comprehensive.
Royal Stoke University Hospital, Newcastle Road, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 6QG, UK.
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Patel
Wrightington Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust Wrightington Hospital, Hall Lane, Appley Bridge, Wigan WN6 9EP, UK.
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Pavlou
Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic Centre, Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter, Devon, UK.
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Ahmad
Exeter Knee Reconstruction Unit, Barrack Road, Exeter, EX2 5DW, UK.
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Toms
D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018563:Disease Notification / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D006622:Hip Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007720:Knee Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014852:Wales / Q000453:epidemiology
Arthroplasty; Infection; Surveillance