The Incremental Cost of Surgical Site Complications & Infections Across Multiple Surgical Indications

Background: Each year 2%–5% of patients undergoing inpatient surgery suffer a subsequent surgical site infection (SSI). It is estimated that between 160,000 and 300,000 SSIs occur each year in the United States. Prior research has shown that in 2005, SSI extended length of stay by 9.7 days and increased costs by $20,8422.  

Purpose: Our analysis aimed to provide 2017 incremental length of stay, costs and readmission rates where SSI or other complications occur across multiple surgical indications.

Results: Mean incremental cost of SSI across all indications was $14,945.21; an increase of 84% adding on average 6.1 days to patient length of stay. None of the SSI complications also had significant implications, incurring incremental cost of $7,558.76 and increasing length of stay by 2.8 days. 34.4% of patients suffering post-surgical complications had a subsequent hospital stay within 90 days of discharge.