Method

All patients with at least one spine, endoprosthetic hip or knee surgery between 2012 and 2015 captured in the AOK PLUS claims database were included in this analysis. SAI were identified using S. aureus-specific ICD-10 codes following surgery. Exclusion criteria included: younger than 18, SAI in the 90 days preceding index, any surgery in the 180 days preceding index, surgery at the same body location as index in the preceding 365 days, or more than one surgery of interest during index hospitalization.

Cumulative incidence and incidence density were used to assess SAI. Mortality, healthcare resource utilization and costs were compared between SAI and non-SAI group during the 1year follow-up post index surgery. Multivariate analyses were conducted while controlling for sex, age, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), location of surgery, length of index hospitalization, recent fractures, other bacterial infections during index hospitalization and outpatient prescriptions for antibiotics in the year pre-index.