Often, patients get wound infections or blood clots during their stay in a hospital following surgery. Hospitals can reduce this risk by administering the proper medicines at the correct time on the same day of surgery.
Symptoms of a wound infection
Signs of possible infection after surgery can include: a surgical wound that is red, hot and swollen; a fever of over 100 degrees following hospital discharge; a smelly or yellow/green fluid oozing out of the wound; or increased pain while taking pain medication.
The measures listed below represent the best practices for the prevention of infections and blood clots after selected surgeries (e.g., colon surgery, hip and knee arthroplasty, abdominal and vaginal hysterectomy, cardiac surgery and vascular surgery).
These scores show how well hospitals are providing their surgery patients with care to prevent infections and blood clots. Patients with contraindications, those at higher risk of experiencing complications to any of the recommended treatments are excluded from the scores for that treatment. Higher percentages indicate better performance. The goal is to reach 100%.
Preventive Antibiotic Started 1 Hour Before Surgery
Preventive Antibiotic Stopped Within 24 Hours
Appropriate Antibiotic Received
Urinary Catheter Removal
Treatment Preventing Blood Clots (VTEs) Received
Controlled Blood Sugar for Heart Surgery Patients
Beta Blocker Continued Before and After Surgery
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Using Recommended Care (Process of Care) Measures