A socio-technical, probabilistic risk assessment model for surgical site infections in ambulatory surgery centers.

Background: To understand how structural and process elements may affect the risk for surgical site infections (SSIs) in the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) environment, the researchers employed a tool known as socio-technical probabilistic risk assessment (ST-PRA). ST-PRA is particularly helpful for estimating risks in outcomes that are very rare, such as the risk of SSI in ASCs.

Objective: Study objectives were to (1) identify the risk factors associated with SSIs resulting from procedures performed at ASCs and (2) design an intervention to mitigate the likelihood of SSIs for the most common risk factors that were identified by the ST-PRA for a particular surgical procedure.

Proactive Risk Assessment of Surgical Site Infections in Ambulatory Surgery Centers.

Background: The Socio-Technical Probabilistic Risk Assessment, a proactive risk assessment tool imported from high-risk industries, was used to identify risks for surgical site infections (SSIs) associated with the ambulatory surgery center setting and to guide improvement efforts.

Objectives: This study had 2 primary objectives: (1) to identify the critical risk factors associated with SSIs resulting from procedures performed at ambulatory surgery centers and (2) to design an intervention to mitigate the probability of SSI for the highest risk factors identified.

Methods: Inputs included quantitative and qualitative data sources from the evidence-based literature and from health care providers.