Use of ASEPSIS scoring method for the assessment of surgical wound infections in a Greek orthopaedic department.

Background: In Greece there is no systematic assessment of surgical wounds with the use of a validated instrument, while the ASEPSIS scoring method has been widely used internationally.

Aim: To examine the frequency of wound infections and their correlations both with patient background factors, as well as surgery factors, with the use of ASEPSIS.

Methods: In this prospective, observational study, participants undergoing orthopaedic surgeries in a large hospital in Greece were assessed during hospitalisation and the first month after discharge using the ASEPSIS wound assessment tool. The principles of the Declaration of Helsinki were applied. Non-parametric statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 20.0.

Results: In total, 111 patients participated; nearly half (49.5%) had a total ASEPSIS score of "0". Almost 3 out of 4 patients (76.6%) had an ASEPSIS score under or equal to "10" (satisfactory healing) and only 3.6% had a minor or severe surgical wound infection. The ASEPSIS score was only positively correlated to longer surgery duration and longer postoperative stay.

Discussion: The frequency of surgical wound infections in orthopaedic patients in Greece is comparable to that described in the literature. ASEPSIS could be used for assessing patients and as a performance indicator in Greek orthopaedic departments.