Second report of the mandatory surveillance of surgical site infection in orthopaedic surgery: April 2004 to March 2006

Synopsis

This report contains data collected by NHS Trusts in England during the first two years of the mandatory surveillance of surgical site infection (SSI) in orthopaedic surgery. A scheme enabling hospitals in England to undertake surveillance of SSI was established by the Health Protection Agency and Department of Health in 1997. Surveillance of SSI in orthopaedic surgery became mandatory in April 2004.

A key aim of the surveillance is to encourage Trusts to use the data to evaluate local practice and institute changes where the results indicate this may be necessary. At the end of each surveillance period, participating Trusts receive an individual report that contains their results compared to the data aggregated from all participating hospitals. They use this data to monitor local practice and initiate further investigation and action should the results indicate that rates are unacceptable.

Some additional analyses are undertaken by the Surgical Site Infection Surveillance Service (SSISS) for those Trusts with a rate of SSI in the highest ten percent and these Trusts are contacted to ensure that they are aware of the potential problem.

Last reviewed: 13 January 2012