Postoperative infection rates

Are hospital infections preventable?

Hospital infections are common. They are caused by germs that patients come into contact with during a hospital stay, partly because of a lack of hygiene. Although hospital infections cannot be fully prevented, their frequency can be reduced by systematic measures in the hospital.

It is estimated that in Switzerland 70'000 patients a year are affected. The infections delay the healing process, cause greater suffering for the patient and, in the worst case, even death.

Postoperative wound infections affect the skin and underlying tissue at the site of surgery. Since 2010, the Swissnoso association has been recording hospital infections after select operations and comparing them amongst clinics. For the following operations, meaningful results (infection rates) are available for Swiss hospitals:

• appendectomy, adults
• appendectomy, children and adolescents
• bypass surgery (heart)
• caesarean section (C-section, childbirth)
• colon surgery
• gall bladder resection (cholecystectomy)
• gastric bypass surgery
• heart surgery (all interventions)
• heart valve replacement
• hip replacement (artificial hip joint)
• hysterectomy (removal of the uterus)
• knee replacement (artificial knee joint)
• Laminectomy (removal of the vertebral arch, e.g., in case of a herniated disc)
• rectum surgery

Infection rates are not equal everywhere:

The Canton of Solothurn scores best, followed by the Canton of Luzern. The Canton of Neuchâtel brings up the rear.

Some differences also exist between individual Swiss hospitals / clinics. An example: The Bürgerspital Solothurn has an infection rate of 3.8% for «rectum surgery» (compared to the Swiss average of 15.5% for this procedure). Another very good result: The Bethesda Spital, Basel has an infection rate of 0.9% for «Laminectomy (removal of the vertebral arch, e.g., in case of a herniated disc)» (Swiss average 1.2%).

It pays off to be informed

Depending on the procedure, different hospitals / clinics achieve low infection rates. Our hospital comparison informs you about the differences and shows you the best hospitals in terms of procedures and infection rates.

Large hospitals are not necessarily the best

The infection rates measured do not correlate very strongly with the number of cases in a hospital for a particular procedure. Choosing a large hospital is therefore no guarantee for a low risk of infection.

Significantly higher infection rates partially also at university hospitals

Significantly higher infection rates were also registered in 11 procedures at university hospitals:

• CHUV Lausanne / Bugnon significantly increased in colon surgery
• Inselspital Bern significantly increased in colon surgery
• Inselspital Bern significantly increased in hysterectomy (removal of the uterus)
• Inselspital Bern significantly increased in heart surgery (all interventions)
• Les Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève significantly increased in Laminectomy (removal of the vertebral arch, e.g., in case of a herniated disc)
• Universitätsspital Basel significantly increased in gall bladder resection (cholecystectomy)
• Universitätsspital Basel significantly increased in colon surgery
• Universitätsspital Zürich significantly increased in colon surgery
• Universitätsspital Zürich significantly increased in heart surgery (all interventions)
• Universitätsspital Zürich significantly increased in bypass surgery (heart)
• Universitätsspital Zürich significantly increased in heart valve replacement

Thorough methodology

The measurements carried out by the Swissnoso association are characterised by a careful and elaborate methodology. Patients are interviewed by specially trained staff at several points in time - even after leaving the hospital. In this way a differentiated risk adjustment is realised. Swissnoso also regularly audits the recording process.

Please note that infection rates of different procedures cannot be directly compared. An example: Much higher infection rates are regularly observed in colon surgery than in orthopaedic operations (e.g. hip prosthesis operations).

Please note: Despite great care, methodological deficiencies may lead to distortions and uncertainties. Please bear in mind in particular that small differences are likely to be random. Similarly, infection rates are only one aspect of the overall quality of a hospital. Generalisations can lead to misjudgements.

Please also read our explanations on methodology as well as further information and methodological notes from Swissnoso and the ANQ association.

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