Surgical Infection Prevention

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Hospitals can reduce the risk of wound infection after surgery by providing the right medicines at the right time on the day of surgery. These quality measures show some of the standards of care provided to patients having surgery. To compare St. Mary’s results with other hospitals in the United States, please visit http://www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov/.

Better than or equal to US avarage

Near US average (within 10 points) 

Worse than US avarage (greater than 10 points) 

N/A - no comparative data   

Surgical Infection Prevention
(Please pause over an indicator for details)

 Indicator

Maine Average
April 2013**

Maine Average 
April 2013**

St. Mary's 
Jan-Mar 2013
Prophylactic Antibiotic Received within 1 hour Prior to Surgical Incision

 98%

99% 

98.7% of
75 cases 
Prophylactic Antibiotic Discontinued within 24 hours After Surgery End Time

97% 

99% 

100% of
70 cases 
Surgical patients given the right antiobitic

97% 

96% 

98.7% of
75 cases 
Surgical Patients with Perioperative Temp Mgmt

 100%

 100%

 99.1% of 110 cases
DVT - Treatment received timely to Prevent Blood Clots for Certain Surgical Patients

 97%

 98%

100% of
103 cases 
Urinary Catheter Removed with first or second day

 95%

97% 

 100% of 29 cases

** This data was collected July 2011 to June 2012.  


There are also steps that you, as a patient, can take to make sure your surgery is as safe as possible. For example, your doctor or nurse can tell you how to wash with an antibiotic soap the day before surgery. You can also give your doctor or nurse a list of all your medications, including vitamins, herbal medicines, and over-the-counter medications. Tell your doctor or nurse about any allergies and bad reactions to anesthesia.

Sometimes patients get an infection after surgery, even if the hospital took steps to prevent it. Here are signs to look  for:

Call your doctor or local hospital immediately if you have any of these signs.