Predicting Superficial Surgical Site Infections: A Study of the Risk Factors and an Assessment Scale From Western India

Introduction Superficial surgical site infections (SSSIs) are very common nosocomial infections that can complicate a range of surgeries, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality, and an overall decreased benefit of surgical interventions, along with exorbitant expenditure of healthcare resources. An assessment scale could help in the segregation of the high-risk patient population, and appropriate resources could be directed toward them. Methods A prospective observational study was carried out in a tertiary care hospital in Western India with 200 participants. Certain probable preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative risk factors for SSSIs were assessed for significance of association, and each patient was given a score according to the assessment scale. The predictive power of the scale was calculated. Results Body mass index (BMI), preoperative laboratory investigations, and preoperative hospital stay showed a significant association with the complication. Clean-contaminated wounds had a higher incidence of postoperative SSSIs as compared to clean wounds. Postoperatively, fever and the presence of open drains predisposed the patient to complications. The assessment scale was found to have a positive predictive value of 40.94% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 86.30%. Conclusion The factors that could significantly prevent the development of SSSIs are normal preoperative laboratory investigations, less than three days of preoperative hospital stay, and avoiding the use of open drains. The high NPV of the assessment scale means that it can be used as a screening tool to segregate high-risk patients.