title: Postdischarge surveillance of surgical site infections using telephone calls and a follow-up card in a resource-limited setting.
abstract: The use of a follow-up card and telephone calls appeared to be an efficient modality for postdischarge surveillance of surgical site infections (SSIs) in Cambodia. One hundred and sixty-one patients were given a follow-up card and asked to present it to any healthcare practitioner they visited during the 30 days following their surgery. Patients were subsequently telephoned to collect information. After discharge, 87% of the patients provided follow-up data. Of these, 25 patients with no SSIs detected during hospitalization reported that 'white liquid had discharged from the surgical wound'; among them, nine cases of purulent drainage were reported by a practitioner.
authors.affiliation: Preah Kossamak Hospital, Khan Tuol Kok, Phnom Penh City, Cambodia. Electronic address: j.guerra.sp@gmail.com.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Guerra
authors.affiliation: Preah Kossamak Hospital, Khan Tuol Kok, Phnom Penh City, Cambodia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Isnard
authors.affiliation: Prupet NGO, Centre Hospitalier Moulins, Moulins Cedex, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guichon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000359:Aftercare / Q000379:methods*; D002160:Cambodia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006295:Health Resources; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000592:standards*; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013689:Telephone / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Cambodia; Developing countries; Feasibility studies; Infection control; Population surveillance; Surgical wound infection