​Institute for Healthcare Improvement
Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

Among surgical procedures, arthroplastic (hip and knee) surgeries are key high-cost, high-volume surgeries targeted for surgical site infection prevention. This document describes some of the financial implications of surgical site infections after hip and knee replacement and makes the business case for prevention.

The evidence-based interventions recommended in IHI's How-to Guide: Prevent Surgical Site Infection for Hip and Knee Arthroplasty represent an important step that hospitals can take toward further reducing the institutional, financial, and personal risks associated with these very serious infections.

Background

This document was initially created as part of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's Project JOINTS initiative, funded by the federal government.