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Operative Related Infection Rates for Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Procedures in a Children's Hospital

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Janara J. Younger ,
James C.H. Simmons  and
Fred F. Barrett
Janara J. Younger
Affiliation:
Departments of Pediatrics and Neurosurgery, University of Tennesseeand Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center, Memphis, Tennessee
James C.H. Simmons
Affiliation:
Departments of Pediatrics and Neurosurgery, University of Tennesseeand Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center, Memphis, Tennessee
Fred F. Barrett
Affiliation:
Departments of Pediatrics and Neurosurgery, University of Tennesseeand Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center, Memphis, Tennessee
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Abstract

We determined the operative related cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt infection rates for our institution over a 3-year period (1982 to 1984) using strictly defined numerator and denominator data. The minimum post-operative follow-up period was 12 months. The average surgical infection risk for a CSF shunt procedure at our institution during the study period was 13.3%. Annual infection rates were relatively constant (13.8%, 13.2% and 12.9%), however both quarterly (5.7% to 23.3%) and surgeon-specific (5.7% to 22.8%) rates varied widely. Infection rates calculated by using “traditional” numerator and denominator data were considerably lower (6.5% to 9.2%).

Operative related CSF shunt infection rates should be determined by utilizing strictly defined numerator and denominator values in order to allow valid comparisons of published rates.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 8 , Issue 2 , February 1987 , pp. 67 - 70
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1987

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