Accuracy of Publicly Reported Surgical Site Infection Rates

Auditing by the New York Department of Health increased reported infection rates for colon procedures in 2009 and 2010 by 7.5%.

Since 2007, all hospitals in New York State have been required to report surgical site infections (SSIs) to the New York State Department of Health (DOH) using the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). Because the SSI rate and the chance of identifying a missed case are both low, the DOH developed a system to validate the accuracy of reporting.

Using administrative discharge diagnosis codes reported to the state together with data from the NHSN system, the DOH examined SSI rates reported for the 176 New York hospitals in 2009 and 2010. Their sample was stratified into four groups: (1) patients with SSIs reported to NHSN; (2) patients with possible SSIs per the administrative data but not reported to NHSN; (3) patients with discordant pr…

Reviewing Author

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health