The programme of surveillance of Surgical Site Infection (SSI) commenced in April 2002 and is mandatory in Acute Divisions carrying out any of the surgical procedures from the list specified in HDL(2001)57.
The aims of the SSI programme are:
- To collect surveillance data on surgical site infections to permit estimation of the magnitude of surgical site infection risk in hospitalised patients throughout Scotland
- To analyse and report surgical site infection (SSI) data and describe trends in ssi infection rates throughout Scotland
For further information on this programme contact Sonja Millar in the first instance.
Project Manager: Mrs Abigail Mullings, Consultant Nurse Epidemiologist, National HAI Surveillance
What is the role of the SSHAIP team?
The support given by HPS's Scottish Surveillance of Healthcare Associated Infection Programme (SSHAIP) team can vary according to the resources available locally. Full support includes the design of data collection forms, data management and data analyses. The SSHAIP team can also facilitate meetings at any stage of the surveillance programme and provide training and training packs to ensure vital standardisation of diagnosis of SSI. Training can be given at local sites or run centrally at HPS, on both SSI definitions and data management. The team provide timely feedback of SSI rates to assist surgical units in minimising the occurrence of SSI's and continuous support and clinical advice relating to surgical site infection surveillance.
What procedures are included in the SSI surveillance programme?
The following core procedures are included in the Scottish Surveillance of Healthcare Associated Infection Programme. These procedures were recommended following consideration of the number of each procedure done per annum, the number of divisions performing each procedure, the seriousness of consequences of infection, length of stay in hospital for follow-up and potential for prevention of infection.
- Hip replacement
- Knee replacement
- Operations for fractured neck of femur
- Cardiac surgery
- Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)
- Abdominal hysterectomy
- Caesarean section
- Major vascular surgery
- Breast surgery
What is required of Acute Divisions?
Each division must survey at least two of the core procedures, one of which should be orthopaedic as stated in HDL(2001)57 . This allows sufficient numbers for national comparison. More than two core procedures may be undertaken. Divisions may decide locally to undertake more comprehensive surveillance within defined specialties as necessary. Guidance on undertaking surveillance in these areas is provided.
How SSI data is analysed and reported by HPS?
By complying with the national minimum dataset and definitions for SSI, data submitted to HPS (monthly for paper forms and quarterly for electronic submission) should directly map into the national dataset once they have gone through a thorough quality assurance process. Reports are returned to divisions on a quarterly basis and an annual national report is also produced by HPS. The SSHAIP team also provide comprehensive support in designing and producing data collection proforma (minimum data set plus data items of interest locally), and also undertake data entry and analysis. A database has been designed in MS Access for data entry. This can be supplied to divisions to undertake local data management.
Surgical Site Infection Surveillance Training
Training in the data definitions and data collection process is provided to all staff who are involved in SSI surveillance. Training resources can also been downloaded for training at local level.
- View the SSI training resources
Surgical Site Infection Research
HPS are involved in research and development in relevant areas of SSI surveillance as and when required. Please refer to the Research and Development pages for further information.
Further reading
Reilly J, Kilpatrick C. Preventing surgical wound infection: evidence based practice for surgical wound care. Nurse 2 Nurse 2002; 2 (6): 47-50.
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