Accuracy of the Wound Healing Questionnaire in Diagnosing Surgical Site Infection
Practical Solutions and Value
Telemedicine is being used for postoperative surveillance, and this study evaluated a telephone Wound Healing Questionnaire (WHQ) to diagnose surgical site infection (SSI) after abdominal surgery in low- and middle-income countries.
A multi-centre, international, prospective study was conducted in seven low- and middle-income countries to test the WHQ. The study followed a pre-registered protocol and reported according to STARD guidelines. The primary outcome was the diagnostic accuracy of the WHQ, and the results showed that it can effectively diagnose SSI, obviating the need for in-person assessment in low resource settings.
The study found that the WHQ correctly discriminated between most patients with and without SSI, with a representative cut-off score of ≥4 displaying good sensitivity and specificity. This suggests that the WHQ can be a valuable tool for diagnosing SSI in resource-limited settings.
Overall, the study highlights the practical value of using a telephone questionnaire to diagnose SSI, providing a potential solution for improving postoperative surveillance in low- and middle-income countries.
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