[Continuous monitoring of wound infections and other postoperative complications using MIKRO-ORT].

Registration of 883 operations, performed on the Orthopedic Department, Roskilde County Hospital, from 06.20.1988 to 12.31.1988, is presented. 95.9% of all operations were registrated primarily. 2.6% superficial wound infections and 1.2% deep were registered. Other infections constituted 2.3%, other complications 4.5%. A significant increase in the incidence of deep wound infections in contaminated wounds was observed. We also found an increase in incidence in prolonged operations (NS). Where types of infections and complications were concerned pronounced extension of the hospitalization occurred. The 4.1% of operations not registered primarily, were more often performed in the evening and night time, were more often contaminated operations and were more often patients with more than one operation during the registration period. No significant loss of information could be found. It is concluded, that establishing a continuous surveillance of wound infections has benefited to the department's control of its infection rate. We were satisfied with the program MIKRO-ORT, which we have used for the registration.