Infectious process proceeds beyond the organ that is the source of the infection
Causes either localized peritonitis (often referred to as abdominal abscess) or diffuse peritonitis, depending on the ability of the host to contain the process within a part of the abdominal cavity
Usually requires an invasive surgical procedure for source control
Involve conditions such as gastroduodenal perforation, ascending cholangitis, cholecystitis, appendicitis or diverticulitis with or without perforation, and pancreatitis without previous surgical intervention or hospitalization
Infectious process that is absent at the time of hospital admission, but becomes evident at ≥ 48h after admission
Includes anastomotic leaks and perforations as well as abscesses that develop as a complication of surgery
Also includes infections acquired during the course of receiving treatment for other conditions in a health care setting, including the nursing home, dialysis unit or surgical day care, within the previous 12 months.
Severity of Illness: Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHEII)
Chow, A., Evans, G., Nathens, A., Ball, C., Hansen, G., Harding, G., Kirkpatrick, A., Weiss, K., Zhanel, G. AMMI Canadian Guidelines. Canadian practice guidelines for surgical intra-abdominal infections. Can J infect Dis Med Microbiol 21(1): 11-37.