Meaningful risk-adjusted infection rates for rectum surgery are currently available from 10 Swiss hospitals for the current period. A total of 427 patients were followed in these hospitals. The average hospital infection rate for rectum surgery is 14.9%.
Réseau Hospitalier Neuchâtelois RHNe (site de Pourtalès) has the lowest risk-adjusted infection rate for rectum surgery (0.0% hospital-acquired infections). The following 2 hospitals / clinics have significantly better results (i.e. lower infection rates) for rectum surgery:
In German-speaking Switzerland, the Bürgerspital Solothurn (Solothurner Spitäler AG) has the lowest risk-adjusted infection rate for rectum surgery. The highest infection rate observed in a hospital for rectum surgery is 25.0%.
Rectal surgery (rectal resection) is primarily performed for cancer (rectal carcinoma). Pre-operative radiation or chemotherapy is often required to shrink the tumor. Because the rectum is located deep within the narrow pelvis, this procedure is among the most technically demanding in visceral surgery. This complexity also accounts for the relatively high infection rates of nearly 15%. Surgery is performed either as an open procedure or, increasingly, laparoscopically (minimally invasive). Due to the complexity and relatively low frequency of this operation, patients should choose a hospital with proven expertise and high case volumes.
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).
During the planned gallbladder operation (routine operation/stay 2-3 days), the rectum was perforated and peritonitis resulted, which was followed by 1 emergency and 2 follow-up operations and, as a result, a 4-week rehabilitation stay was necessary
transl. from german, inpatient treatment in Jun.2024, date of rating: 20.08.2024
The data on this page was last updated on March 16, 2026.
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