Table 2

Delphi ratings of utility of surgical triggers for system-level interventions

Provisional trigger ruleAdverse eventUtility for system intervention (1: high; 9: low)
Round 1Round 2Round 3
MedianRangeMedianRangeMedianRange
Same-day surgery and 2 or more postoperative clinic visits ≤30 daysANY AE6.01–96.01–97.05–9
Same-day Surgery And subsequent emergency room visit ≤ 21 daysANY AE2.01–62.51–72.01–4
Same-day surgery and unscheduled readmission to hospital ≤30 daysANY AE1.01–42.01–32.01–3
Same-day surgery and unscheduled procedure (interventional radiological or urological or dental or cardiac or gastroenterological) or reoperation ≤30 daysANY AE2.01–92.01–32.01–3
Scheduled same-day surgery and hospital length of stay >24 hANY AE2.01–53.01–53.02–5
Same-day surgery and antibiotics started or continued >24 h postoperatively or wound debridement ICD code or microbiological specimen. Exclude contaminated surgeries.Surgical site infection3.01–83.51–83.03–8
Same-day Surgery and (Wound supplies prescription or wound care nurse consult or visiting nurse services for wound care). Exclude contaminated surgeries and patients with ostomies.Surgical site infection3.01–93.01–93.03–9
Same-day Surgery and urinalysis ≤15 days and ((positive nitrite) or (urine culture with >100 000 micro-organisms and 2 or fewer species))Urinary tract infection4.01–94.02–94.03–8
Same-day surgery and Doppler ultrasound ≤30 days and (ICD code for deep vein thrombosis or ICD code for pulmonary embolus) ≤30 daysDeep vein thrombosis2.01–52.01–42.01–3
Same-day surgery and haematocrit check ≤14 days and haematocrit drop >6 units from preoperative baselineHaemorrhage/haematoma4.01–94.02–73.52–6

  • AE, adverse event; ICD, international classification of diseases.