What is a Surgical Site Infection (SSI)?
A SSI is a type of healthcare-associated infection that occurs in the part of the body where a surgery took place. We follow safe processes to reduce the risk of infection following surgery.
How does UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland monitor SSIs?
SSIs are measured using the methods of the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Standardized Infection Ratio (SIR) is a way to measure the number of hospital-acquired infections compared to what is expected based on national data.
What are we doing to improve patient outcomes?
- Ensuring that antibiotics are being given appropriately for each type of surgery
- Educating patients and families on prevention processes, e.g., hand hygiene by all care team members, antibacterial baths performed at home prior to surgery, screening for nasal colonization and providing treatment in higher risk surgeries
- Participating in the Solutions for Patient Safety collaborative projects related to the prevention of SSIs
What is the performance of UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland for SSI?
| Year | SIR* |
|---|---|
| FY2022 | 0.00 |
| FY2023 | 0.47 |
| FY2024 | 1.34 |
| FY2025 | 1.28 |
| FY2026 | 1.36 |
*Complex SIR based on UCSF True North fiscal year (procedures April through March) under NHSN 2022 baseline models.
A SIR of 1 means that the hospital’s infection rate is as expected. Higher than 1 means more infections than expected and less than 1 means fewer infections than expected.
