Appendectomy, adults, infection rate

Profile of the key figure appendectomy, adults, infection rate

• Time of data collection: 01.10.2021 - 30.09.2022
• Source: Swiss National Association for Quality Development in Hospitals and Clinics (ANQ), Quality indicators hospitals
• Direct link to source not available in English - view it in German or in French
• Quality report (pdf) not available in English - view it in German or in French
• Department: Acute care

About the indicator «Infection rates»

Measured as the ratio of expected and observed numbers of infections after certain types of surgery.

Strengths:

Infections are risky and associated with more distress. A low infection rate is an indicator of good hygiene and a high quality treatment process. The infection rates are risk adjusted by Swissnoso using three additional measurements. This elaborate form of risk adjustment fulfills high scientific standards.

Limits:

Unfortunately, infection rates are not available for all interventions. It is not sure that results are transferable to similar interventions. Also, infection rates are only meaningful when a sufficient number of cases is reached. Especially with interventions with a low risk of infections the needed number of cases is very high and is only reached by large hospitals. For small hospitals it is often not possible to give a meaningful statement (while small case numbers are per se unfavorable, especially with complex interventions).