Sammanfattning
Background. All hospitals in Norway are required to participate in NOIS (the Norwegian Surveillance System for Hospital-Acquired Infections). Hospitals can choose to have from one to five given surgical procedures under surveillance, caesarean sections being one of them. This article describes the incidence of surgical site infections after caesarean sections, and identifies risk factors for such infections.
Material and methods. A national protocol was developed in accordance with the European protocol (HELICS). Patients who underwent caesarean section (1 September - 30 November in 2005, 2006 or 2007) in hospitals that had caesarean sections under surveillance were included in the study and monitored for 30 days after the operation. Cases were identified in accordance with standardised criteria. Several potential risk factors, as well as demographic and clinical data were recorded.
Results. Data were obtained from 3 900 women who had undergone caesarean sections. After discharge, 3 491 women completed follow-up. 290 (8.3?%) of them experienced infections. 86?% of the infections occurred after hospital discharge. 54 women had deep infections or infections in organs or body cavities; 20 of these women were rehospitalised and 11 were reoperated. Age above 29 years and wound contamination grade 3 were independent risk factors for infection.
Interpretation. One of 12 women who undergo a caesarean section develops a surgical site infection. The incidence of infections in Norway is lower than in other European countries. We recommend hospitals to evaluate the preventive measures implemented at their institution.