1. Short summary / abstract
The Surgical Site Infection Surveillance Service (SSISS) web page provides information on the service and the scheme which encourages hospitals (both NHS and private) to use surveillance to improve the quality of patient care by collecting and analysing data on surgical site infections using standardised methods. It also provides national data that can be used by trusts as benchmarking.
The web directory contains information on: -
General Information
Surgical site infection (SSI)- FAQ’s
Surveillance – background history and development of the service
Monitoring surgical wounds for infection – information leaflet for patients
Surgical Site Infection Surveillance Service (SSISS) – key objectives and what the service offers
Surgical Site Surveillance Service (SSISS)
Information on mandatory surveillance of orthopaedic categories – commenced 1st April 2004
Surveillance methodology
How to participate in SSISS
Submitting data
Surgical site infection surveillance protocol
SSISS Training Days
Frequently Asked Questions about SSISS Surveillance
Contact details
Data
NINSS Surveillance of Surgical Site Infection in English Hospitals 1997-2002
Surgical Site Infection Surveillance in England – Summary of data from October 1997 to December 2003
National aggregated data on SSI
Reports and Publications
Guidelines on measures to prevent SSI
Publications
The service provides a flexible system of surveillance to enable hospitals to participate for a minimum three month period in one or more of 12 defined categories of surgical procedures
2. What question is the document addressing?
The web directory provides the information hospitals need to become familiar with the systems provided by the SSISS to enable them to undertake surgical site infection at a local level and benchmark against national aggregated data.
3. Type of study
Web pages
4. Methods valid & appropriate?
Yes
Comments:
An SSI can occur when bacteria from the skin, other parts of the body, another person or the environment/equipment enter a surgical incision and multiply in the tissues
5. Results / recommendations reliable?
Yes
6. Any major problems and biases?
No
7. Any other important / relevant studies which confirm or contradict?
Information/policy documents/SSIS methodology/national data, patient information and related internal and external links are included in the web directory
8. Keywords
surgical site infection surveillance patient leaflet
Reviewer's Details:
| Name: | Sue Wiseman |
| Post: | Nurse Consultant –Infection Control, DH |
Affiliations
(Society / Organisation / Advisory Committee): | Member Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens
Health Protection Adviser Royal College of Nursing P/T
Member Infection Control Nurses Association |
*** Note: These are the views of a professional expert rather than an official statement from his or her society, organisation or advisory committee.