In the ongoing effort to combat the significant challenge of surgical site infections—a prevalent health problem that adversely affects patient well-being and increases healthcare expenses—a recent study published in the International Journal of Medical Informatics sheds light on the comparative efficacy of established risk indexes versus an innovative predictive model. Conducted by Kjersti Mevik in collaboration with SPKI and the University of Calgary, the study provided new insights into the risk factors associated with postoperative wound infections, a common issue following surgery that leads to extended rehabilitation for patients and significant resource use. The overarching aim was to determine the susceptibility of certain patients to these infections and to identify influencing factors (read more at Nordlandssykehuset).
The study explored the effectiveness of three traditional risk assessment tools against an innovative predictive model. The findings from the comparative analysis illuminated the superior efficacy of this new approach, demonstrating its enhanced capability in accurately identifying individuals most susceptible to these infections.
The research findings underscore the critical impact of both the operation's length and the hospital stay's duration on the likelihood of developing postoperative wound infections. Specifically, it was discovered that surgeries extending beyond 100 minutes, coupled with hospitalizations exceeding 8 days, markedly elevate the infection risk. This pivotal insight highlights the importance of considering these factors in the management and prevention strategies for postoperative care.
This project represented a synergistic collaboration between Nordland Hospital, SPKI in Tromsø, and the University of Calgary. Buoyed by these promising outcomes, the team is now poised to leverage artificial intelligence in scrutinizing additional risk factors across a broader patient cohort. The objective is to meticulously refine and enhance prevention strategies against postoperative wound infections, thereby setting new benchmarks in patient care.
