A systematic review of the ASEPSIS scoring system used in non-cardiac-related surgery

OBJECTIVE : To assess the validity, reliability and sensitivity of the ASEPSIS scoring system, used to assess non-cardiac related surgery for surgical wound infection.

METHOD : Five studies were included in this review. One study discussed the development of the ASEPSIS scoring system; two studies were on its reliability, one study on the sensitivity and the final compared the ASEPSIS scoring system against other surgical wound infection criteria and definitions. Due to variation in study designs, the findings were summarised and presented in a narrative format.

RESULTS : Validity and reliability were not established in assessing non-cardiac surgical sites. Sensitivity level was reported for non-cardiac surgical sites, but its reliability level declined as the severity of infection worsened.

CONCLUSION : This review revealed that there are limited choices of scoring systems to assess different surgical sites for surgical wound infection. Currently, only the ASEPSIS scoring system is available, but it is not validated for use with non-sternal wounds. Therefore, it should be used cautiously when assessing non-cardiac surgical wound infection.