Postdischarge surveillance of surgical site infections using telephone calls and a follow-up card in a resource-limited setting

Summary The use of a follow-up card and telephone calls appeared to be an efficient modality for postdischarge surveillance of surgical site infections (SSIs) in Cambodia. One hundred and sixty-one patients were given a follow-up card and asked to present it to any healthcare practitioner they visited during the 30 days following their surgery. Patients were subsequently telephoned to collect information. After discharge, 87% of the patients provided follow-up data. Of these, 25 patients with no SSIs detected during hospitalization reported that ‘white liquid had discharged from the surgical wound'; among them, nine cases of purulent drainage were reported by a practitioner.