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Review Article
Online Published: 29 Jul 2026
 


Data completeness and timeliness in the evaluation of suspected central nervous system infections at a Saudi Tertiary Hospital (2017–2022): a retrospective quality audit

Rana A. Alhammad, Fai N. Aldakheel, Rogayah S. Al-dohaiman, Mzoun A. Alotaibi, Ferial A. Alkhuzayem, Ghayda K. Alfarhan, Bariah A. Alhisan, Mohammed S. Alkathlan, Mohammed Alqwaifly, Abdullah Aljorayid.


Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to assess the clinical assessment and documentation of the suspected cases of central nervous system (CNS) infection during 6 years (20172022).
Methods: This was a retrospective quality audit study, conducted at King Fahad Specialist Hospital, between January 2017 and December 2022. Adult patients who had a lumbar puncture (LP) due to suspected CNS infection were included. The electronic medical records were analyzed using a pre-tested abstraction tool that evaluated four areas: documentation completeness, timeliness of care, microbiological evaluation, and congruence with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Healthcare Safety Network definitions.
Results: A total of 76 patients were included. There was also a high level of documentation gaps, especially in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) opening pressure (98.7%), CSF red blood cell count (90.8%), and respiratory rate (55.3%). Although CSF glucose and protein levels were mostly complete, inflammatory markers (CRP, 56.6% missing, and ESR, 42.1% missing) were often missing. Only 38.2% of patients underwent LP on the day of admission, whereas 26.3% experienced delays of ≥4 days. Microbiological yield was poor, with only one positive CSF culture and limited viral testing. In about half of the cases, empiric antimicrobials were used. Overall, 75% of patients did not meet standardized CNS infection criteria, primarily due to incomplete documentation.
Conclusion: This audit identified major gaps in documentation, timeliness of diagnosis, and compliance with standardized definitions in the process of assessing suspected CNS infections. These loopholes had significant consequences on patient care, clinical decision-making, and epidemiological surveillance.

Key words: Central nervous system infections, epidemiology, Saudi Arabia, retrospective study, data completion, timeliness, quality audit


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Alhammad RA, Aldakheel FN, Al-dohaiman RS, Alotaibi MA, Alkhuzayem FA, Alfarhan GK, Alhisan BA, Alkathlan MS, Alqwaifly M, Aljorayid A. Data completeness and timeliness in the evaluation of suspected central nervous system infections at a Saudi Tertiary Hospital (2017–2022): a retrospective quality audit. IJMDC. 2026; 10(8): 2460-2467. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1779375372

Web Style

Alhammad RA, Aldakheel FN, Al-dohaiman RS, Alotaibi MA, Alkhuzayem FA, Alfarhan GK, Alhisan BA, Alkathlan MS, Alqwaifly M, Aljorayid A. Data completeness and timeliness in the evaluation of suspected central nervous system infections at a Saudi Tertiary Hospital (2017–2022): a retrospective quality audit. https://www.ijmdc.com/?mno=321776 [Access: August 25, 2026]. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1779375372

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Alhammad RA, Aldakheel FN, Al-dohaiman RS, Alotaibi MA, Alkhuzayem FA, Alfarhan GK, Alhisan BA, Alkathlan MS, Alqwaifly M, Aljorayid A. Data completeness and timeliness in the evaluation of suspected central nervous system infections at a Saudi Tertiary Hospital (2017–2022): a retrospective quality audit. IJMDC. 2026; 10(8): 2460-2467. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1779375372


Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Alhammad RA, Aldakheel FN, Al-dohaiman RS, Alotaibi MA, Alkhuzayem FA, Alfarhan GK, Alhisan BA, Alkathlan MS, Alqwaifly M, Aljorayid A. Data completeness and timeliness in the evaluation of suspected central nervous system infections at a Saudi Tertiary Hospital (2017–2022): a retrospective quality audit. IJMDC. (2026), [cited August 25, 2026]; 10(8): 2460-2467. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1779375372


Harvard Style

Alhammad, R. A., Aldakheel, . F. N., Al-dohaiman, . R. S., Alotaibi, . M. A., Alkhuzayem, . F. A., Alfarhan, . G. K., Alhisan, . B. A., Alkathlan, . M. S., Alqwaifly, . M. & Aljorayid, . A. (2026) Data completeness and timeliness in the evaluation of suspected central nervous system infections at a Saudi Tertiary Hospital (2017–2022): a retrospective quality audit. IJMDC, 10 (8), 2460-2467. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1779375372


Turabian Style

Alhammad, Rana A., Fai N. Aldakheel, Rogayah S. Al-dohaiman, Mzoun A. Alotaibi, Ferial A. Alkhuzayem, Ghayda K. Alfarhan, Bariah A. Alhisan, Mohammed S. Alkathlan, Mohammed Alqwaifly, and Abdullah Aljorayid. 2026. Data completeness and timeliness in the evaluation of suspected central nervous system infections at a Saudi Tertiary Hospital (2017–2022): a retrospective quality audit. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 10 (8), 2460-2467. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1779375372


Chicago Style

Alhammad, Rana A., Fai N. Aldakheel, Rogayah S. Al-dohaiman, Mzoun A. Alotaibi, Ferial A. Alkhuzayem, Ghayda K. Alfarhan, Bariah A. Alhisan, Mohammed S. Alkathlan, Mohammed Alqwaifly, and Abdullah Aljorayid. "Data completeness and timeliness in the evaluation of suspected central nervous system infections at a Saudi Tertiary Hospital (2017–2022): a retrospective quality audit." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 10 (2026), 2460-2467. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1779375372


MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Alhammad, Rana A., Fai N. Aldakheel, Rogayah S. Al-dohaiman, Mzoun A. Alotaibi, Ferial A. Alkhuzayem, Ghayda K. Alfarhan, Bariah A. Alhisan, Mohammed S. Alkathlan, Mohammed Alqwaifly, and Abdullah Aljorayid. "Data completeness and timeliness in the evaluation of suspected central nervous system infections at a Saudi Tertiary Hospital (2017–2022): a retrospective quality audit." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 10.8 (2026), 2460-2467. Print. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1779375372


APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Alhammad, R. A., Aldakheel, . F. N., Al-dohaiman, . R. S., Alotaibi, . M. A., Alkhuzayem, . F. A., Alfarhan, . G. K., Alhisan, . B. A., Alkathlan, . M. S., Alqwaifly, . M. & Aljorayid, . A. (2026) Data completeness and timeliness in the evaluation of suspected central nervous system infections at a Saudi Tertiary Hospital (2017–2022): a retrospective quality audit. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 10 (8), 2460-2467. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1779375372




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