HealthDay Patients with 30-day postoperative infection have an increased risk for long-term infection and mortality according to a study published online Nov 6 in JAMA Surgery William J OBrien from the Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research in Boston and colleagues conducted a retrospective observational cohort study to examine whether exposure to 30-day postoperative infection is associated with the incidence of infection and mortality during postoperative days 31 to 365 Data were included for 659 486 veterans undergoing major surgery The researchers found that 36 percent of the patients had a 30-day infection 66 had a long-term infection and 38 percent died during follow-up Surgical site infection urinary tract infection pneumonia and bloodstream infection were the most frequent 30-day infections 402 275 148 and 80 percent respectively Urinary tract infection skin and soft tissue infection bloodstream infection and pneumonia were included as types of long-term infection 487 326 88 and 58 percent respectively Compared with those without 30-day infection patients in the exposure group had a higher observed incidence of long-term infection 218 versus 61 percent and mortality 129 versus 34 percent The estimated hazard ratios for long-term infection and mortality were 317 and 189 respectively Infection after surgery is associated with long-term harm which should be accounted for in the costs and benefits of infection prevention programs the authors write Two authors disclosed financial ties to the biopharmaceutical and medical technology industries