The British journal of surgery
-
Surgical-site infections (SSIs) are recognized as negatively affecting patient quality of life. No meta-analysis of SSI utility values is available in the literature to inform estimates of this burden and investment decisions in prevention. ⋯ The present study provides the first synthesized estimate of SSI burden over the short and long term. EQ-5D™ utility estimates for a range of SSIs are essential for infection prevention planning and future economic modelling.