Post-Operative Infection Risk Calculator

How to calculate post-operative infection risk?

This calculator estimates post-operative infection risk by combining a baseline risk with patient-specific and procedure-related multipliers.

Formula: estimatedRiskPct = baselineRiskPct × ageFactor × bmiFactor × diabetesFactor × smokingFactor × asaFactor × durationFactor × urgencyFactor

Using the Post-Operative Infection Risk calculator: an example

Consider a 68-year-old patient with BMI 33, uncontrolled diabetes, current smoker, ASA III, undergoing an urgent, clean-contaminated surgery lasting 150 minutes.

Step-by-step calculation:

1. Start with a baseline risk (e.g., 2% for clean-contaminated surgery).
2. Apply multipliers: Age (e.g., 1.2x), BMI (e.g., 1.1x), Diabetes (e.g., 1.5x), Smoking (e.g., 1.3x), ASA (e.g., 1.4x), Duration (e.g., 1.2x), Urgency (e.g., 1.1x).
3. Multiply baseline by all factors: 2% × 1.2 × 1.1 × 1.5 × 1.3 × 1.4 × 1.2 × 1.1 ≈ 10.5%.
4. Interpret results: A 10.5% risk is high, suggesting interventions like glucose optimization or smoking cessation.

This calculator helps assess risk to guide pre-operative optimization and improve patient outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a 'baseline risk'?

A: Baseline risk is the inherent infection risk for a specific type of surgery, before considering individual patient factors.

Q: How can I reduce a patient's risk?

A: Optimizing glucose, encouraging smoking cessation, and reviewing antibiotic prophylaxis are key strategies.

Q: Is this calculator a substitute for clinical judgment?

A: No, this tool is for educational purposes only and should always be used in conjunction with professional medical advice.