The use of a personal computer program for monitoring wound infections and other complications in orthopedics.

A personal computer program to monitor wound infections and other complications after orthopedic operations was developed, adopting international criteria and definitions. The program offers fixed data entry screens, and a free text editor, and produces user-specified variations of seven screen pages comprising most of the epidemiological data needed for surveillance and complication control. Furthermore a number of special lists can be generated for use in the daily work. For all reports and lists it is possible to generate subpopulations with up to twelve criteria. The program was tested in four danish orthopedic departments and serves well as a simple local tool for the operating staff, offering fast information on complication rates. Results consisting 2,583 operations are presented. The overall rates of complications were 1.8% superficial wound infections, 0.6% deep wound infections, 2.6% other infections and 3.8 other complications. The system is lowcost and an effective method of providing a widespread uniform surveillance of surgical wound infections and other complications in the orthopedic wards.