On October 28, News Medical reported that patients with diabetes have a considerably increased risk for developing Surgical Site Infections (SSIs), according to a study in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.
Researchers found that diabetic patients undergoing surgery were 50 percent more likely to develop SSIs compared to those without the disease. SSIs were also found to occur in 4 percent of surgeries, which was the most frequent cause of Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs) in the study. Efforts to reduce the rates of SSIs are becoming more urgent due to hospital readmission penalties in place.
Previous studies had found increased risk for diabetic patients during several types of surgery, but the new research confirmed that a broader range of procedures had elevated risk, including arthroplasty, breast, cardiac and spinal surgeries. Treating the infections are estimated to cost more than $3 billion annually in the U.S. and are the most expensive contributor to costs associated with HAIs.
“Diabetes has been recognized as a risk factor for infection following some surgeries, but has been a source of debate for other procedures,” said Emily Toth Martin, PhD, lead author of the study and assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. “This study is a first step in our efforts to identify patients at high risk of SSIs. We hope this research will lead to better strategies to lower the number of these infections nationwide.”
“Hospitals routinely monitor glucose levels in surgical patients, but heightened awareness among healthcare professionals of infection prevention measures is warranted for diabetic patients before and after surgery,” said Martin.
Great Plains Quality Innovation Network (GPQIN) is working with the healthcare community to improve care, health outcomes and reduce costs. Studies like this highlight the importance of best practices targeted for specific patient populations to reduce the risk of harm. Findings will aid the healthcare community as we work together to reduce the risk of infection for diabetic patients undergoing surgery. For more information on our efforts and to join the Great Plains QIN Learning and Action Network, visit our Web site.
Source: Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America