Surgical Antimicrobial Prophylaxis in Neonates and Children with Special High-Risk Conditions: A RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method Consensus Study

Surgical site infections (SSIs), which are a potential complications in surgical procedures, are associated with prolonged hospital stays and increased postoperative mortality rates, and they also have a significant economic impact on health systems. Data in literature regarding risk factors for SSIs in pediatric age are scarce, with consequent difficulties in the management of SSI prophylaxis and with antibiotic prescribing attitudes in the various surgical procedures that often tend to follow individual opinions. The lack of pediatric studies is even more evident when we consider surgeries performed in subjects with underlying conditions that may pose an increased risk of complications. In order to respond to this shortcoming, we developed a consensus document to define optimal surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis (SAP) in neonates and children with specific high-risk conditions. These included the following: (1) colonization by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and by multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria other than MRSA; (2) allergy to first-line antibiotics; (3) immunosuppression; (4) splenectomy; (5) comorbidity; (6) ongoing antibiotic therapy or prophylaxis; (7) coexisting infection at another site; (8) previous surgery in the last month; and (9) presurgery hospitalization lasting more than 2 weeks. This work, made possible by the multidisciplinary contribution of experts belonging to the most important Italian scientific societies, represents, in our opinion, the most up-to-date and comprehensive collection of recommendations relating to behaviors to be undertaken in a perioperative site in the presence of specific categories of patients at high-risk of complications during surgery. The application of uniform and shared protocols in these high-risk categories will improve surgical practice with a reduction in SSIs and consequent rationalization of resources and costs, as well as being able to limit the phenomenon of antimicrobial resistance.

Preoperative skin antisepsis using chlorhexidine may reduce surgical wound infections in lower limb trauma surgery when compared to povidone-iodine - a prospective randomized trial

BACKGROUND

For the prevention of surgical wound infections (SSIs), local microorganism counts can be lowered by skin antisepsis prior to surgical incisions. Until now, it has been unclear which antiseptic is the most effective.

METHODS

This prospective randomized trial analyzed the efficacy of 2 frequently used agents in the reduction of postoperative wound complication rates after aseptic trauma surgery on the lower leg and foot. In the study, 279 consecutive participants were randomized; 112 received surgical skin preparations using chlorhexidine (CHX) (ChloraPrep; Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, NJ) and 167 received preparations with povidone-iodine (PVP-I) (Braunoderm; B. Braun Melsungen AG, Melsungen, Germany). Primary clinical endpoints were SSIs and wound healing disorders (WHDs) within 6 months after surgery. Secondary outcome variables included demographic and perioperative risk factors for SSIs.

RESULTS

Rates of WHDs and SSIs were significantly higher in the PVP-I treatment group, which experienced 9 SSIs and 12 WHDs (n = 21; 12.6%), compared to the CHX treatment group, which had 2 SSIs and 3 WHDs (n = 5; 4.5%) (P = .022). Perioperative risk factors for WHDs were obesity and longer surgery time, whereas SSIs were increased in participants with cardiovascular diseases and suction drainage. Logistic regression analysis showed that the odds of complications of wound healing were 3.5 times higher for PVP-I than for CHX (odds ratio = 3.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-11.2; P = .032).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative skin antisepsis for trauma surgery of the lower leg and foot using CHX led to significantly fewer complications of wound healing when compared to PVP-I.

Investigation of perioperative work processes in provision of antibiotic prophylaxis: a prospective descriptive qualitative study across surgical specialties in Norway

OBJECTIVE

Surgical site infections are known postoperative complications, yet the most preventable of healthcare-associated infections. Correct provision of surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) is crucial. Use of the WHO Safe Surgical Checklist (SSC) has been reported to improve provision of SAP, and reduce infections postoperatively. To understand possible mechanisms and interactions generating such effects, we explored the underlying work processes of SAP provision and SSC performance at the intersection of perioperative procedures and actual team working.

DESIGN

An ethnographic study including observations and in-depth interviews. A combination of deductive and inductive content analysis of the data was conducted.

SETTING

Operating theatres with different surgical specialities, in three Norwegian hospitals.

PARTICIPANTS

Observations of perioperative team working (40 hours) and in-depth interviews of 19 experienced perioperative team members were conducted. Interview participants followed a maximum variation purposive sampling strategy.

RESULTS

Analysis identified provision of SAP as a process of linked activities; sequenced, yet disconnected in time and space throughout the perioperative phase. Provision of SAP was handled in relation to several interactive factors: preparation and administration, prescription accuracy, diversity of prescription order systems, patient-specific conditions and changes in operating theatre schedules. However, prescription checks were performed either as formal SSC reviews of SAP items or as informal checks of relevant documents. In addition, use of cognitive reminders and clinical experiences were identified as mechanisms used to enable administration of SAP within the 60 min timeframe described in the SSC.

CONCLUSION

Provision of SAP was identified as a complex process. Yet, a key element in provision of SAP was the given 60 min. timeframe of administration before incision, provided in the SSC. Thus, the SSC seems beneficial in supporting timely SAP administration practice by either being a cognitive tool and/or as a cognitive intervention.

Timing of preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis in 54,552 patients and the risk of surgical site infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of timing of preoperative surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) on surgical site infection (SSI) and compare the different timing intervals.The benefit of routine use of SAP prior to surgery has long been recognized. However, the optimal timing has not been defined. For the purpose of developing recommendations for the World Health Organization guideline for SSI prevention, a systematic review and meta-analysis of all relevant evidence was conducted.Major medical databases were searched from 1990 to 2016. The primary outcome was SSI after preoperative-SAP comparing different timing intervals. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were extracted and pooled for each comparison with a random effects model.Fourteen papers with 54,552 patients were included in this review. In a quantitative analysis, there was no significant difference when SAP was administered 120-60 minutes prior to incision compared to administration 60-0 minutes prior to incision. Studies investigating different timing intervals within the last 60 minutes time frame reported contradictive results. The risk of SSI almost doubled when SAP was administered after first incision (OR:1.89; 95%CI:[1.05-3.40]) and was 5 times higher when administered more than 120 minutes prior to incision (OR5.26; 95%CI:[3.29-8.39]).Administration of antibiotic prophylaxis more than 120 minutes before incision or after incision is associated a higher risk of surgical site infections than administration less than 120 minutes before incision. Within this 120-minute time frame prior to incision, no differential effects could be identified. The broadly accepted recommendation to administer prophylaxis within a 60-minute time frame prior to incision could not be substantiated.

Impact of intra-abdominal absorbable sutures on surgical site infection in gastrointestinal and hepato-biliary-pancreatic surgery: results of a multicenter, randomized, prospective, phase II clinical trial

BACKGROUND

The use of absorbable sutures in wound closure has been shown to reduce the incidence of surgical site infection (SSI); however, there is no evidence that the intra-abdominal use of absorbable rather than silk sutures reduces the incidence of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery. We report the findings of a phase II trial, designed to evaluate the impact of the intra-abdominal use of absorbable sutures on the incidence of SSI.

METHODS

At 19 Japanese hospitals, 1147 patients undergoing elective gastrectomy, colorectal surgery, hepatectomy, or pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) were randomly assigned to absorbable or silk intra-abdominal suture groups. The primary efficacy endpoint was the incidence of SSI. The secondary efficacy endpoints were the locations of SSI, time to resolution of SSI, length of hospital stay, and the incidence of bile leakage in hepatectomy and pancreatic fistula.

RESULTS

The incidence of SSI was 11.3%, 15.5%, 11.3%, and 36.9% after gastrectomy, colorectal surgery, hepatectomy, and PD, respectively. The incidence of SSI was higher in the absorbable suture group than in the silk suture group for all the surgical procedures, but the difference was not significant.

CONCLUSION

The intra-abdominal use of absorbable sutures did not have enough of an effect on the reduction of SSI in this phase II trial to justify the planning of a large-scale phase III trial.

New WHO recommendations on preoperative measures for surgical site infection prevention: an evidence-based global perspective

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are among the most preventable health-care-associated infections and are a substantial burden to health-care systems and service payers worldwide in terms of patient morbidity, mortality, and additional costs. SSI prevention is complex and requires the integration of a range of measures before, during, and after surgery. No international guidelines are available and inconsistencies in the interpretation of evidence and recommendations of national guidelines have been identified. Given the burden of SSIs worldwide, the numerous gaps in evidence-based guidance, and the need for standardisation and a global approach, WHO decided to prioritise the development of evidence-based recommendations for the prevention of SSIs. The guidelines take into account the balance between benefits and harms, the evidence quality, cost and resource use implications, and patient values and preferences. On the basis of systematic literature reviews and expert consensus, we present 13 recommendations on preoperative preventive measures.

The effectiveness of i.v. cefuroxime prophylaxis of surgical site infection after elective inguinal hernia repair with mesh: A retrospective observational study

PURPOSE

The efficacy of routine antibiotic prophylaxis for prevention of surgical site infection (SSI) after elective inguinal hernia repair with a mesh patch remains uncertain. The authors of a recent Cochrane meta-analysis based on 17 randomized trials were unable to draw a definitive conclusion on this subject. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of prophylactic antibiotics for prevention of SSI after elective inguinal hernia repair with mesh and the risk factors for SSI.

METHODS

All low-risk patients who underwent elective inguinal hernia repair with mesh at our institution between 2010 and 2015 were enrolled in this study, with the exception of patients with recurrent hernias or immunosuppressive diseases. All patients received a single intravenous (i.v.) injection of cefuroxime (1.5 g) within 2 h prior to surgery at the discretion of the surgeon. SSI was defined using criteria of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The variables which could influence the rate of SSI were analyzed by multivariate analysis to determine the independent risk factors for SSI.

RESULTS

Among the 605 patients who underwent elective inguinal hernia repair with mesh during the study period, 553 were eligible for enrolment in the study. Of these, 331 received a single dose of cefuroxime preoperatively. The overall SSI rate was 5.4 %; 9.4 % of those patients who did not receive preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis developed SSI versus 2.8 % of those who did receive prophylaxis (P = 0.001). All infections were superficial. Factors independently associated with SSI were advanced age, smoking and preoperative stay.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of SSI among low-risk patients who did and did not receive preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis after elective inguinal hernia repair with mesh differed significantly, particularly among patients of advanced age, smokers and patients with a prolonged preoperative stay in the hospital.

Evaluation of Hospital and Patient Factors that Influence the effective Administration of Surgical Antimicrobial Prophylaxis

Objective:

To analyze and model the patient and healthcare system factors that may interfere with the appropriate administration of surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis.

Design:

Between 1994 and 1998, surgical-site surveillance data were collected prospectively for a cohort of eligible surgical patients. For all cases, and each individual procedure (cardiothoracic, colonic, gynecologic, orthopedic, or vascular), forward stepwise multiple logistic regression was applied to relate key hospital and patient factors to an effective first prophylactic dose (ie, appropriate administration time, dose, route, and drug).

Setting:

A 450-bed, tertiary-care teaching hospital in Canada.

Patients:

A total of 4,835 patients admitted for surgical procedures who required antimicrobial prophylaxis.

Results:

Factors positive for an effective first prophylactic dose for all cases were when an order was written (OR, 19.7; CI95, 9.1–42.7; P < .001) and given in the operating room (OR, 13.9; Cl95, 7.5–25.6; P < .001). Factors negative for an effective first prophylactic dose were beta-lactam allergy (OR, 0.49; CI95, 0.4–0.61; P < .001) and same-day surgery (OR, 0.57; CI95, 0.4–0.82; P < .001).

Conclusions:

With few exceptions, the four factors included in the procedure models showed that when a preoperative order was written or the antibiotic was given in the operating room, a patient was more likely to receive an effective first prophylactic dose. Conversely, when a patient had a beta-lactam allergy or the surgery was performed on the day the patient was admitted, the administration of an effective first prophylactic dose was less likely.

[Postoperative wound infections. Pathophysiology, risk factors and preventive concepts]

Postoperative wound infections are the third most common type of nosocomial infection in German emergency hospitals after pneumonia and urinary infections. They are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, prolonged hospital stay and increased costs. The most important risk factors include the microbiological state of the skin surrounding the incision, delayed or premature prophylaxis with antibiotics, duration of surgery, emergency surgery, poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, malignant disease, smoking and advanced age. Anesthesiological measures to decrease the incidence of wound infections are maintaining normothermia, strict indications for allogenic blood transfusions and timely prophylaxis with antibiotics. Blood glucose concentrations should be kept in the range of 8.3-10 mmol/l (150-180 mg/dl) as lower values are associated with increased complications. Intraoperative and postoperative hyperoxia with 80% O(2) has not been shown to effectively decrease wound infections. The application of local anesthetics into the surgical wound in clinically relevant doses for postoperative analgesia does not impair wound healing.

Difficulties in managing the surgical patient who is morbidly obese

Managing patients who are morbidly obese in the intensive care unit is associated with a variety of problems uncommonly experienced with the those who are not morbidly obese. Clinicians experience a myriad of unique problems and circumstances, from the need for special beds and lifts to unusual and unknown volumes of distribution resulting in unclear drug dosing. This review examines several issues including sedation, invasive monitoring, venous thromboembolism prophylaxis, surgical infections, nutritional support, and other complications that may be of particular importance to the critically ill patient who is morbidly obese. In many cases, care is altered based on the complicating issues surrounding morbid obesity. In other cases, the presence of obesity suggests no alterations in our routine critical care delivery. A comprehensive review of the literature is undertaken, data are critically considered, and overall opinion is rendered based on the available peer-reviewed literature. In many cases, data are not available that address the specific patient population in question, so related papers (like gastric bypass data) are considered. Many issues do not have definitive answers based on randomized controlled trials, and much is left to treating clinician opinion and local practice patterns. Where good data exist, however, one should consider carefully and individually deviation from the evidence-based approach.

Surgical site infections in a tertiary health care center: prospective cohort study

PURPOSE

To investigate the incidence and risk factors associated with the development of surgical site infections (SSIs) using the National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance (NNIS).

METHODS

A prospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary health care center. Infection control personnel collected general and health care related data about patients. The NNIS risk index was calculated on the basis of data relating to the operation: wound contamination class, duration of surgery, and the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score.

RESULTS

A total of 5109 surgical procedures were included in the study. The overall cumulative incidence rate was 6.3%. The incidence of SSIs was 2.3% (63.5% of operative procedures), 8.3% (29.7%), 34.6% (6.2%), and 43.3% (0.6%), in patients with 0, 1, 2, and 3 risk index, respectively. The length of hospital stay (OR: 1.0; 95% CI: 1.053-1.075), preoperative length of stay (odds ratio [OR]: 1.9; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.953-1.981), antibiotic prophylaxis (OR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.421-4.628), drainage (OR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.360-2.353), ASA score (OR: 1.5; 95% CI: 1.235-1.946), class of wound contamination (OR: 2.0; 95% CI: 1.745-2.003), and NNIS risk index (OR: 1.3; 95% CI: 1.063-1.7) were independently associated with an increased risk for SSIs. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently isolated microorganism, 64% of them being methicillin-resistant.

CONCLUSION

The aim of this study was to investigate the most important risk factors associated with the development of surgical site infections (SSIs). Therefore, greater attention has been given to adherence to recommendations for the prevention and control of SSIs as well as to antibiotic prophylaxis protocols.

The SURgical PAtient Safety System (SURPASS) checklist optimizes timing of antibiotic prophylaxis

BACKGROUND

Surgical site infection (SSI) is an adverse event in which a close relation between process of care and outcome has been demonstrated: administration of antibiotic prophylaxis decreases the risk of SSI. In our tertiary referral centre, a SURgical PAtient Safety System (SURPASS) checklist was developed and implemented. This multidisciplinary checklist covers the entire surgical pathway and includes, among other items, administration of antibiotic prophylaxis before induction of anaesthesia. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of SURPASS implementation on timing of antibiotic prophylaxis.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed on two cohorts of patients: one cohort of surgical patients that underwent surgery before implementation of the checklist and a comparable cohort after implementation. The interval between administration of antibiotic prophylaxis and incision was compared between the two cohorts.

RESULTS

A total of 772 surgical procedures were included. More than half of procedures were gastro-intestinal; others were vascular, trauma and hernia repair procedures. After implementation, the checklist was used in 81.4% of procedures. The interval between administration of antibiotic prophylaxis and incision increased from 23.9 minutes before implementation of SURPASS to 29.9 minutes after implementation (p = 0.047). In procedures where the checklist was used, the interval increased to 32.9 minutes (p = 0.004). The proportion of patients that did not receive antibiotics until after the incision decreased significantly.

CONCLUSION

The use of the SURPASS checklist leads to better compliance with regard to the timing of antibiotic prophylaxis administration.

Antibioticoprofilaxia na colecistectomia videolaparoscópica eletiva: estudo prospectivo randomizado e duplo cego

OBJETIVO: Identificar a necessidade de profilaxia antibiótica em colecistectomias videolaparoscópicas eletivas. MÉTODO: Estudo prospectivo, randomizado e duplo-cego, em pacientes submetidos à colecistectomia videolaparoscópica eletiva, durante o período de Junho de 2003 a Julho de 2007, com alocação de 163 pacientes em dois grupos: A (n=82), recebeu profilaxia com cefoxitina 2g intravenoso na indução anestésica; B (n=81), recebeu solução salina 2 mililitros intravenoso. A equipe e a técnica cirúrgica utilizadas foram as mesmas. O desfecho avaliado foram complicações infecciosas de sítio cirúrgico, isto é, infecção de ferida operatória e abscessos superficiais e/ou profundos. Os pacientes foram revisados em sete e 28 dias pós-operatório. Os dados foram analisados pelo Teste exato de Fisher (p<0,05). RESULTADOS: O presente estudo demonstrou uma taxa de complicações infecciosas de 4,76%, no Grupo A e de 6,17% no Grupo B. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa (p=0,746) nas taxas de complicações infecciosas. Os grupos foram homogêneos e comparáveis. CONCLUSÃO: Pacientes submetidos à colecistectomia videolaparoscópica eletiva, de baixo risco cirúrgico, não necessitam de antibioticoprofilaxia, pois a mesma não traz redução das taxas de infecção.

Incidence of and risk factors for surgical-site infections in a Peruvian hospital

OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence of and risk factors for surgical-site infections (SSIs) after abdominal surgery.

DESIGN

A cohort study was conducted from January to June 1998. CDC criteria for SSI and the NNIS System risk index were used.

SETTING

A tertiary-care hospital in Peru.

PATIENTS

Adult patients undergoing abdominal surgery who consented were enrolled and observed until 30 days after surgery. Patients who had undergone surgery at another hospital or who died or were transferred to another hospital within 24 hours after surgery were excluded.

RESULTS

Four hundred sixty-eight patients were enrolled. Their mean age was 37.2 years. One hundred twenty-five patients developed SSIs, 18% of which were identified after discharge. The overall incidence rate (IR) was 26.7%. The IR was 13.9% for clean, 15.9% for clean-contaminated, 13.5% for contaminated, and 47.2% for dirty interventions. The IR was 3.6% for NNIS System risk index 0 and 60% for index 3. Risk factors for SSI on logistic regression analysis were dirty or infected wound (RR, 3.8; CI95, 1.7-8.4), drain use longer than 9 days (RR, 6.0; CI95, 2.5-12.5), and length of surgery greater than the 75th percentile (RR, 2.1; CI95, 1.0-4.4). Patients with SSI had a longer hospital stay than did non-infected patients (14.0 vs 6.1 days; p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

SSI is a major problem in this hospital, which has a higher IR (especially for clean interventions) than those of developed countries. In developing countries, prevention of SSI should include active surveillance and interventions targeting modifiable risk factors.

An evaluation of antimicrobial prophylaxis in paediatric surgery and its financial implication

OBJECTIVE

To assess the appropriateness of use of antimicrobial prophylaxis in paediatric surgery in Singapore.

METHODS

A prospective evaluation of the use of antimicrobial prophylaxis in paediatric patients undergoing surgery in KK Hospital, Singapore was carried out from September and December 2001. Process measures for the study included adherence to local or international guidelines, choice and dose of antimicrobial agent and timing and duration of prophylaxis. Outcome measures included surgical site and other related infections. A cost analysis was also performed to look at the extra expenditure due to any excessive use of antimicrobials.

RESULTS

A total of 171 patients with a mean age of 5.7 years (SD=4.5) were included in the study. Among the 117 (68.4%) elective and 54 (31.6%) emergency procedures, 22 cases (12.8%) were fully compliant with the guidelines. The most frequently encountered non-compliance types were unnecessary prolongation of prophylaxis (54.4%), inappropriate choice of antibiotics (42.7%) and overdose of antibiotics (26.3%). The estimated extra cost to patients for the study period was Sing$13,879.41 (US 8164.36).

CONCLUSION

The results showed a significantly high level of inappropriate use of antimicrobial prophylaxis in paediatric surgery in Singapore. However, when the individual factors such as appropriate choice of antibiotics, appropriate timing and duration were considered, the situation was very similar to the results obtained from overseas studies.

Development of an infection-resistant, bioactive wound dressing surface

Trauma, whether caused by an accident or in an intentional manner, results in significant morbidity and mortality. The goal of this study was to develop a novel biomaterial surface in vitro and ex vivo that provides both localized infection resistance nd hemostatic properties. Our hypothesis is that a combination of specific surface characteristics can be successfully incorporated into a single biomaterial. Functional groups were created with woven Dacron (Cntrl) material via exposure to ethylenediamine (C-EDA). The antibiotic ciprofloxacin (Cipro) was then applied to the C-EDA material using pad/autoclave technique (C-EDA-AB) followed by surface immobilization of the coagulation cascade enzyme thrombin (C-EDA-AB-Thrombin). Antimicrobial activity by the C-EDA-AB surface persisted for 5 days compared with Cntrl and dipped controls, which lasted <1 h. C-EDA-AB-Thrombin surfaces had 2.6- and 105-fold greater surface thrombin activity compared with nonspecifically bound thrombin and Cipro-dyed surfaces, respectively. Surface thrombus formation ex vivo was evident after 1 min of exposure, with thrombus organization evident by 2.5 min. In contrast, C-EDA-AB and Cntrl segments showed only blood protein adsorption on the fibers. Thus, this study demonstrated that Cipro and thrombin can be simultaneously incorporated onto a biomaterial surface while maintaining their respective biological activities.

Development of an infection-resistant bifunctionalized Dacron biomaterial

A novel infection-resistant biomaterial was created by applying the antibiotic Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) to a recently developed bifunctionalized polyethylene terephthalate ("polyester," Dacron) material using textile-dyeing technology. Dacron was modified via exposure to ethylenediamine (EDA) to create amine and carboxylic acid sites within the polymer backbone. Cipro was applied to the bifunctionalized Dacron construct under varied experimental conditions, with resulting antimicrobial activity determined via zone of inhibition. Dacron segments treated at a liquor ratio of 20:1, with 5% Cipro on weight of fabric (owf), at pH 8 for 4 h at 70 degrees C followed by autoclaving showed antimicrobial activity for 78 days (length of study). Segments treated similarly but without autoclaving lost activity within 1 day. Dyeing time and temperature did not significantly affect antibiotic release/activity, but segments dyed at pHs higher or lower than 8 had less antimicrobial activity. The long-term infection resistance provided by this technique may answer major problems of infection from which implantable Dacron biomedical devices suffer.

Surveillance for hospital-acquired infections on surgical wards in a Dutch university hospital

OBJECTIVES

To determine incidence rates of hospital-acquired infections and to develop preventive measures to reduce the risk of hospital-acquired infections.

METHODS

Prospective surveillance for hospital-acquired infections was performed during a 5-year period in the wards housing general and vascular, thoracic, orthopedic, and general gynecologic and gynecologic-oncologic surgery of the University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands. Data were collected from patients with and without infections, using criteria of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

RESULTS

The infection control team recorded 648 hospital-acquired infections affecting 550 (14%) of 3,845 patients. The incidence density was 17.8 per 1,000 patient-days. Patients with hospital-acquired infections were hospitalized for 19.8 days versus 7.7 days for patients without hospital-acquired infections. Prolongation of stay among patients with hospital-acquired infections may have resulted in 664 fewer admissions due to unavailable beds. Different specialties were associated with different infection rates at different sites, requiring a tailor-made approach. Interventions were recommended for respiratory tract infections in the thoracic surgery ward and for surgical-site infections in the orthopedic and gynecologic surgery wards.

CONCLUSIONS

Surveillance in four surgical wards showed that each had its own prominent infection, risk factors, and indications for specific recommendations. Because prospective surveillance requires extensive resources, we considered a modified approach based on a half-yearly point-prevalence survey of hospital-acquired infections in all wards of our hospital. Such surveillance can be extended with procedure-specific prospective surveillance when indicated.

Selective digestive decontamination should not be routinely employed

There is a general consensus that antimicrobial resistance in the hospital setting has emerged as an important variable influencing patient outcome and resource utilization. Hospitals worldwide are faced with increasingly rapid emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Both antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacilli and Gram-positive bacteria are reported as important causes of hospital-acquired infections. Few antimicrobial agents are available for effective treatment. Selective digestive decontamination (SDD) is a technique aimed at selectively eliminating aerobic Gram-negative bacilli and yeast from the mouth and stomach to reduce the occurrence of hospital-acquired infections, including ventilator-associated pneumonia. Unfortunately, the application of SDD has been associated with emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains, limiting its overall utility.

Questionnaire survey of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis in Italian surgical departments

Correct antibiotic prophylaxis reduces the incidence of postoperative infections. 600 questionnaires on perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis were sent to Italian Surgical Departments. Each questionnaire included a series of 17 multi-choice-questions concerning the specific approach of the department to: organization, type, timing, duration, auditing of prophylaxis. 435 departments (72.5%) responded to the questionnaire; 50 of these were blank, so 385 out of 435 (88.5%) were suitable for statistical evaluation. Results were as follows: 90.5% of departments perform some form of prophylaxis under the control, in 90.5% of cases, of surgeons; 89.3% differentiate antibiotics according to class of operation; 67.4% give the antibiotic preoperatively and prefer i.v. injection (61.0%), mostly in the ward (56.2%); in 33.3% of cases the prophylaxis is standard (more than 2 doses), but 55.8% of Italian surgeons do not give a boost-dose in operations longer than 3 h; 54.2% of patients receive a cephalosporin (mostly III generation), with a rotation of molecules in 53.9% of cases; 71.7% of departments register the incidence of infections, but only 43.2% control the patients 30 days after surgery; finally, 54.2% of departments work together with a bacteriology laboratory active 24 hours, while in 81.7% of cases the hospital has an Infection Committee which meets together usually without a programmed date (60.3%). In conclusion, antibiotic prophylaxis in Italian Surgery Departments appears adequate, even though some problems still remain regarding time-dose-duration-schedule, rotation of molecules, excess of cephalosporins, availability of a 24-h bacteriological laboratory and infection surveillance after discharge.

Sixteen years' surveillance of surgical sites in an Irish acute-care hospital

OBJECTIVE

To report a program of continuous surveillance of surgical-site infections (SSIs) using basic surveillance methods.

DESIGN

Analysis of routine prospective surveillance data.

SETTING

Two hospitals in Ireland (300 and 350 beds) that merged and moved to a new 650-bed hospital in 1987.

PATIENTS

59,335 surgical sites of postoperative patients.

INTERVENTIONS

Surgical sites were surveyed by one infection control nurse and SSI rates were produced for selected operations and surgical services. The program was conducted in general accordance with the 1999 HICPAC guidelines, but differed in surveillance strategy. Operations were limited to two to three risk classifications, assigned by the infection control nurse.

RESULTS

The overall SSI rate was 4.5%, with 2.4% in clean surgery. Apart from increases in the 3rd, 4th, 13th, and 14th years, rates remained relatively stable during the 16 years. Few significant decreases in SSI rates in surgical services or specific operations were shown, apart from the following: vascular surgery, 8.1% to 5% between the first 8 years and the last 8 years; general surgery services, 9% to 5%, and gynecology, 15.8% to 1.7%, both in the first year compared with in subsequent years; and gastric operations, 21% to 4.3% between the first year and the second year. Organ/space infection was identified in 0.5% of 17,804 operations, including 0.4% meningitis after neurosurgical procedures, 3% graft infections after vascular bypass operations, and 0.2% intra-abdominal infections after abdominal surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

With the use of basic principles of surveillance and modest resources, procedure-specific SSI rates were produced, with little significant change during the 16 years. Despite limitations in case-finding, risk stratification, feedback, and surveillance methods, the overall SSI rates were comparable with other published data.

Risk factors in surgery

Improved surgical and anesthetic techniques and postoperative care have not significantly changed wound infection rates over the last 30 years. Many risk factors, related both to the host and to the surgical practice, have been identified in different studies. Control of nosocomial infections has become more challenging recently, due to a widespread bacterial resistance to antibiotics and to more frequent surgical indications in elderly patients at increased risk. A change in the microbiology of postoperative infections has also been noticed, characterized by a greater incidence of infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, by polymicrobic flora and by fungi. This paper reviews the most important risk factors encountered in general surgery, that we observed during a 6-year prospective study of wound infection carried out in our Department of Surgery at the University of Insubria in Varese. Furthermore, the epidemiologic data on wound infections recorded in 4,002 patients undergoing general surgical procedures (mostly gastrointestinal operations), are presented and discussed.

Relationship between skin microbial counts and surgical site infection after neurosurgery

A prospective study was performed to describe the density of bacterial counts on the skin of neurosurgical patients and examine the association between total colony-forming unit (cfu) counts of skin flora at the operative site and surgical site infection (SSI). Two skin cultures were obtained, immediately before and after skin preparation, from the operative sites of 609 neurosurgical patients. SSI surveillance that used Centers for Disease Control/National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance definitions was performed. Predictors for high bacterial counts and SSI among craniotomies were analyzed by means of logistic regression. Neither pre- nor postpreparation counts were associated with SSI. Other SSI risk factors were obesity (relative risk [RR], 2.5), duration of surgery (RR, 1.3 for every additional 30 minutes) and age (RR, 0.7 for each additional 10 years). Duration of skin preparation was not correlated with postpreparation cfu counts. We were unable to detect an association between preoperative bacterial skin counts and SSI.

Effects of preoperative warming on the incidence of wound infection after clean surgery: a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Wound infection after clean surgery is an expensive and often underestimated cause of patient morbidity, and the benefits of using prophylactic antibiotics have not been proven. Warming patients during colorectal surgery has been shown to reduce infection rates. We aimed to assess whether warming patients before short duration, clean surgery would have the same effect.

METHODS

421 patients having clean (breast, varicose vein, or hernia) surgery were randomly assigned to either a non-warmed (standard) group or one of two warmed groups (local and systemic). We applied warming for at least 30 min before surgery. Patients were followed up and masked outcome assessments made at 2 and 6 weeks.

FINDINGS

Analysis was done on an intention-to-treat basis. We identified 19 wound infections in 139 non-warmed patients (14%) but only 13 in 277 who received warming (5%; p=0.001). Wound scores were also significantly lower (p=0.007) in warmed patients. There was no significant difference in the development of haematomas or seromas after surgery but the non-warmed group were prescribed significantly more postoperative antibiotics (p=0.002).

INTERPRETATION

Warming patients before clean surgery seems to aid the prevention of postoperative wound infection. If applied according to the manufacturers guidelines these therapies have no known side-effects and might, with the support of further studies, provide an alternative to prophylactic antibiotics in this type of surgery.

Maximizing appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis for surgical patients: an update from LDS Hospital, Salt Lake City

Errors in antimicrobial prophylaxis for surgical patients remain one of the most frequent types of medication errors in hospitals. Failure to administer the first dose of antimicrobial prophylaxis within the 2-h window of time before incision is associated with 2- to 6-fold increases in rates of surgical site infection. Optimal use of antimicrobial prophylaxis includes proper case selection; use of appropriate agents; proper dosing, route of administration, timing, and duration; and intraoperative dosing when appropriate. Effective use of antimicrobial prophylaxis also requires monitoring of and feedback on patterns of use. Programs to improve antimicrobial prophylaxis should be multidisciplinary and should aim to improve use of medications, not simply to change physician practice patterns. The LDS Hospital experience demonstrates the clinical and financial benefits of such a program and also shows the pitfalls of and great difficulties associated with changing systems of care.

Evaluation of two retrospective active surveillance methods for the detection of nosocomial infection in surgical patients

OBJECTIVE

To compare the sensitivity and specificity of two retrospective active surveillance methods based on review of the medical record and review of the discharge form in identfying nosocomial infection, taking the prospective surveillance method as the reference standard.

DESIGN

Blind comparison of three active nosocomial infection surveillance methods.

SETTING

Department of General Surgery of a tertiary-care hospital with a referral population of 266,000 people.

METHODS

All operated patients admitted to the Department of Surgery for more than 24 hours and discharged from January 1, 1994, to December 31, 1994, were included. Prospective surveillance consisted of daily review of the patient's record during hospitalization. Retrospective surveillance consisted of review of the medical record and the discharge form. Sensitivity and specificity of both retrospective methods were calculated.

RESULTS

Of the 1,514 patients included in the study, 1,476 (97.5%) were reviewed by means of the retrospective surveillance system. A total of 20, 8, and 4 hours per week was needed for the active prospective system, review of the medical record, and review of the hospital discharge form, respectively. The documented cumulative incidence of nosocomial infection was 21.8% for the prospective system, 19.6% for review of the medical record, and 12.6% for review of the discharge form. The overall sensitivity of review of the medical record was 88% and of the discharge form 56%, with a specificity of 99%. For review of the medical record, the highest sensitivity was 93%, for urinary tract infections; for review of the discharge form, the highest was 57%, for surgical-wound infection.

CONCLUSIONS

The retrospective method of review of the medical record was the most efficient active surveillance strategy in detecting nosocomial infection in surgical patients.

Short-term prophylaxis in clean-contaminated surgery

Postoperative infections are not consistently controlled by current practice measures. From a recent study of 12,384 patients, postoperative infection occurred in 22% of colorectal procedures and 25% of upper gastrointestinal procedures. Infections were associated with a higher death rate, longer hospitalization, and more intense post-discharge care. Control of infections for clean-contaminated procedures requires effective bowel cleansing when appropriate, meticulous surgical technique, and timely antimicrobial administration. Many patients undergoing clean-contaminated surgery do not receive properly timed antimicrobials. Although the comparative value of oral (neomycin and erythromycin) or parenteral antimicrobials for colon surgery remains an unresolved issue, the combination can be beneficial for many colorectal operations. Third generation cephalosporins are not consistently more effective than older agents such as cefoxitin and increase bacterial resistance. Improper antimicrobial timing is one of the most common problems with surgical prophylaxis and is fully under the control of the surgeon. To maximize benefits of antimicrobial prophylaxis, systems should be devised to assure timely administration.

Cost reduction with successful implementation of an antibiotic prophylaxis program in a private hospital in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil

OBJECTIVE

To describe the implementation and results of a perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis (PAP) program.

DESIGN

A protocol for correct use of PAP was implemented in December 1994. For selected months we measured the PAP protocol compliance of a random sample of clean and clean-contaminated procedures and calculated the cost of incorrect use of PAP. SELLING: A 180-bed general hospital in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.

RESULTS

The cost of unnecessary PAP in the obstetric and gynecologic, cardiothoracic, and orthopedic services dropped from $4,224.54 ($23.47/procedure) in November 1994 to $1,147.24 ($6.17/procedure, January 1995), $544.42 ($3.58/procedure, May 1995), $99.06 ($0.50/procedure, August 1995), and $30 ($0.12/procedure, March 1996). In November 1994, only 13.6% of all surgical procedures were done with correct use of PAP, compared to 59% in January 1995, 73% in August 1995, 78% in March 1996, 92% in November 1996, and 98% in May 1997.

CONCLUSIONS

Incorrect PAP use wastes resources, which is a particular problem in developing countries. Our program is simple and can be implemented without the use of computers and now is being adopted in other hospitals in our region. We credit the success of our program to the commitment of all participants and to the strong support of the hospital directors.