Medical research shows that surgery patients who get antibiotics before their surgeries are less likely to get surgical site infections. However, continuing antibiotics longer than necessary can increase the risk of side effects such as serious intestinal problems. It also can cause patients to develop infections that are resistant to antibiotics. This measure looks at the percentage of patients whose antibiotics were stopped at the right time, within 24 hours after their surgeries.

July 2011 - June 2012 data

For the above graph: Higher ↑ performance is better.

Results over time

For the above graph: Higher ↑ performance is better.

More surgical care measurements 

• Patients using beta-blocker therapy prior to arrival
• Antibiotic received within one hour before surgery
• Antibiotic selection for surgical patients
• Antibiotics discontinued within 24 hours after surgery
• Blood glucose control
• Appropriate hair removal
• Urinary catheter removal on first or second day after surgery
• Timely blood clot treatments ordered
• Blood clot prevention treatment received within 24 hours of surgery
• Patients having surgery who were actively warmed in the operating room

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