Knee replacement (artificial knee joint), infection rate
Meaningful risk-adjusted infection rates for knee replacement (artificial knee joint) are currently available from 8 Swiss hospitals for the current period. A total of 3,869 patients were followed in these hospitals. The average hospital infection rate for knee replacement is 0.4%.
Schulthess Klinik, Zürich has the lowest risk-adjusted infection rate for knee replacement (0.1% hospital-acquired infections).
3 hospitals show significantly 
worse results for knee replacement (i.e. higher infection rates). The following 2 hospitals / clinics have even highly significantly worse results for knee replacement:
The highest infection rate observed in a hospital for knee replacement is 2.2%.
The implantation of an artificial knee joint (total knee replacement) is a standard procedure for advanced wear and tear (osteoarthritis of the knee). Since many Swiss hospitals achieve high case volumes, there is a high level of routine. Nevertheless, it is important to choose the timing carefully and explore conservative alternatives, as prostheses can wear out. A serious risk is postoperative infection. Although it is very rare, treatment is difficult because bacteria can form a biofilm on the implant. In cases of resistance to therapy, complex revision surgery is often necessary (see re-operation rates). This comparison only reports deep infections (organ/space).
Best hospitals for knee replacement (artificial knee joint), infection rate
0,1%
0,1%
0,6%
1,0%
2,2%
1,7%
1,3%
1,6%
Profile of the key figure knee replacement (artificial knee joint), infection rate
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).
The data on this page was last updated on March 16, 2026.
