BASICS OF SURGICAL-SITE INFECTION SURVEILLANCE

Surgical-site infections, the third most common class of nosocomial in fections, cause substantial morbidity and mortality and increase hospi tal costs. Surveillance programs can lead to reductions in surgical-si te infection rates of 35% to 50%. Herein, we will discuss the practica l aspects of implementing a hospital-based surveillance program for su rgical-site infections. We will review surveillance methods, patient p opulations that should be screened, and interventions that could reduc e infection rates.