← Articles

Glenn et al: Evaluation of a client questionnaire at diagnosing surgical site infections in an active surveillance system
Veterinary Surgery 8, 2024

🔍 Key Findings

  • Algorithm 3 had the highest overall accuracy (95.5%) in diagnosing SSIs from client questionnaires.
  • Active surveillance identified 19.4% more SSIs compared to passive surveillance alone.
  • SSI rate was 8.22% across 754 surgeries; 33.9% of SSIs required revision surgery.
  • Client-based responses were 37.9% more frequent than those from referring veterinarians.
  • Deep/implant SSIs could be missed if not associated with visible wound healing problems.
  • Two late SSIs (after 90 days) occurred, both linked to implant surgeries.
  • Algorithm 1 was the most sensitive (87.1%) but less specific; useful for screening.
  • Algorithm 2 had the highest specificity (97.9%); useful as a “rule-in” diagnostic method.

Simini Surgery Review Podcast

How critical is this paper for crushing the Boards?

🚨 Must-know. I’d bet on seeing this.

📚 Useful background, not must-know.

💤 Skip it. Doubt it’ll ever show up.

Thanks for the feedback!
‍We'll keep fine-tuning the articles vault.
Oops — didn’t go through.
‍Mind trying that again?
← Articles

Glenn et al: Evaluation of a client questionnaire at diagnosing surgical site infections in an active surveillance system
Veterinary Surgery 8, 2024

🔍 Key Findings

  • Algorithm 3 had the highest overall accuracy (95.5%) in diagnosing SSIs from client questionnaires.
  • Active surveillance identified 19.4% more SSIs compared to passive surveillance alone.
  • SSI rate was 8.22% across 754 surgeries; 33.9% of SSIs required revision surgery.
  • Client-based responses were 37.9% more frequent than those from referring veterinarians.
  • Deep/implant SSIs could be missed if not associated with visible wound healing problems.
  • Two late SSIs (after 90 days) occurred, both linked to implant surgeries.
  • Algorithm 1 was the most sensitive (87.1%) but less specific; useful for screening.
  • Algorithm 2 had the highest specificity (97.9%); useful as a “rule-in” diagnostic method.

Simini Surgery Review Podcast

Know What Matters in the Literature - and Why

We distill peer-reviewed surgical studies into clinically relevant summaries and
exam-style questions, so you can make informed decisions with confidence.

Free Access. No Spam. Just Smarter Surgical Learning

Multiple Choice Questions on this study

In Glenn 2024 et al., on client-based SSI surveillance, which major limitation was noted in detecting deep or implant-associated infections?

A. Implant type was not recorded
B. Client response rate was below 10%
C. No algorithm included antibiotic use
D. Algorithms relied on superficial wound signs only
E. Follow-up duration was less than 7 days

Answer: Algorithms relied on superficial wound signs only

Explanation: Algorithms required wound healing problems, which may exclude deep infections not presenting externally.
In Glenn 2024 et al., on client-based SSI surveillance, which of the following statements best describes Algorithm 1?

A. It had the highest specificity and PPV
B. Used only RV data to classify cases
C. It was best used to rule out SSIs
D. It classified all inconclusive cases
E. It required a positive bacterial culture

Answer: It was best used to rule out SSIs

Explanation: Algorithm 1 had the highest sensitivity (87.1%) and negative predictive value (97%), making it suitable for ruling out SSIs.
In Glenn 2024 et al., on client-based SSI surveillance, what proportion of SSIs were identified *only* via active surveillance?

A. 5.1%
B. 12.5%
C. 19.4%
D. 28.9%
E. 33.3%

Answer: 19.4%

Explanation: Active surveillance alone detected 12 of 62 SSIs (19.4%) not found through passive methods.
In Glenn 2024 et al., on client-based SSI surveillance, which algorithm demonstrated the highest overall accuracy for detecting SSIs?

A. Algorithm 1
B. Algorithm 2
C. Algorithm 3
D. Manual review alone
E. Referring veterinarian reports

Answer: Algorithm 3

Explanation: Algorithm 3 had the highest accuracy (95.5%) in detecting surgical site infections from client responses.
In Glenn 2024 et al., on client-based SSI surveillance, what percentage of SSIs required revision surgery?

A. 12.1%
B. 25.8%
C. 33.9%
D. 43.8%
E. 50.0%

Answer: 33.9%

Explanation: Revision surgery was needed in 21 of 62 SSIs, amounting to 33.9%.

Access the full library of surgical summaries and exam-style questions.

Get Instant Access

Educational content developed independently and supported by Simini.

The maker of Simini Protect Lavage.

Review More Key Summaries from this Veterinary Surgery Journal Issue

Deprey

 et al: 

Mechanical evaluation of a novel angle‐stable interlocking nail in a gap fracture model

Miller

 et al: 

Complications and outcome following staphylectomy and folded flap palatoplasty in dogs with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome

Glenn

 et al: 

Evaluation of a client questionnaire at diagnosing surgical site infections in an active surveillance system

Kang

 et al: 

Accuracy of a 3‐dimensionally printed custom endoscopy port for minimally invasive ventral slot decompression in dogs: A cadaveric study

Walker

 et al: 

Evaluation of a modified radiographic union scale for tibial fractures scoring system in staged bilateral tibial plateau leveling osteotomy procedures and comparison of first and second side radiographic bone healing