Number of select surgical patients per 100, whose antibiotics to prevent infection were discontinued within 24 hours after surgery end time. A brief course of prophylactic (preventative) antibiotics is as effective as longer courses, and earlier discontinuation helps to reduce antibiotic resistance. For certain surgeries, however, antibiotics may be needed for a longer time.
Technical
Includes patients with vascular surgical procedures. Excludes patients who had a principal or admission diagnosis suggestive of infection prior to surgery, patients receiving antibiotics at time of admission or greater than 24 hours prior to surgery, patients who did not receive any antibiotics before, during, or within 24 hours after surgery end time, those who did not receive antibiotics during hospitalization, and those who were diagnosed and treated for infection within two days after surgery.
(JCAHO / CMS SCIPINF 3a)