By Bart Geerts

Estimated Reading Time: 2 min

Every hospital leader knows the challenge of surgical site infections (SSIs)—but what if we told you that SSIs are only the bigger tip of the iceberg? Postoperative infections extend far beyond wound infections, including pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and bloodstream infections (BSIs). These complications don’t just impact patient outcomes—they drive longer hospital stays, higher readmissions, and rising costs, often going undetected for too long.

In many hospitals, the average day of diagnosis is Day 7+ after the surgery, when infections have already grown and caused significant harm. By this point, hospital resources are stretched, discharge plans are disrupted, and teams must act reactively rather than proactively. The financial impact is staggering—hospitals spend €35M per year on treating postoperative infections alone. Worse, delayed diagnoses mean increased risks of sepsis, prolonged ICU stays, and a higher chance of long-term complications for patients.

So how do we fix this?

For years, infection prevention has relied on protocols, checklists, and reactive monitoring—but that’s not enough. AI and predictive analytics are now enabling a shift toward proactive infection management. By analysing real-time EHR data, AI-driven models can predict infection risks before symptoms appear, allowing for earlier intervention, faster decision-making, and ultimately, better patient safety.

Hospitals using AI-powered risk prediction tools can detect infections days earlier, reducing unnecessary antibiotic use, length of stay, and clinical workload for both physicians and nurses. For CIOs and CMIOs, this means a cost-effective solution that integrates seamlessly into existing workflows, leveraging the data that hospitals already collect.

Postoperative Infection Management Needs to Evolve

We cannot afford to view infections as an inevitable consequence of surgery. By embracing predictive technology, hospitals can shift from treating infections late to preventing them early. If we truly want to improve patient recovery and reduce avoidable costs, it’s time to think beyond SSIs and start addressing the full scope of postoperative infections.

Are you ready to move from reactive to proactive infection management?