Abstract

A STUDY OF ADHERENCE OF SURGEONS TO ANTI-MICROBIAL PROPHYLAXIS GUIDELINES IN A MULTI SPECIALITY HOSPITAL

Blesson Mathew Pharm.D*, Jibin Mathew Pharm.D, Dona Kurian Pharm.D, Chandra Jahnavi Pharm.D, Yerragudla. Kanthi Kiran Pharm.D

Abstract

Background: The use of antimicrobial prophylaxis for surgical procedures is one of the measures employed to prevent the development of (SSI). The appropriate choice of antimicrobial agents, dosage regimen, timing, duration must be properly done. Proper adherence to the surgical guidelines by the physician is needed to improve overall patient care and prevention of surgical site infections that is likely to emerge after few months or days of surgical procedures. Objective: To access and analyze antimicrobial SSI prophylaxis compliance in accordance with institutional standards by physicians and to identify potential opportunities for improvement to its adherence. Methods: A retrospective observational study was done in patients who underwent surgeries such as CABG, LSCS, Lapchole and TKR in a multi-specialty hospital using a data collection form from the operation theatre surgical checklist records. Results: A total of 559 patients were collected; 201 (35.95%) were male and 358 (64.04%) were female. The most common age group was between 41-60 (54.00%) years of age. The widely used antibiotic is Cefazolin followed by cefuroxime in 90% of the cases. Conclusion: Adherence to separate aspects of hospital guidelines for surgical prophylaxis is favorable, overall adherence to all parameters is hard to achieve. Adherence to guidelines on selection of antibiotic and timing needs improvement, in particular. To increase the quality of antimicrobial prophylaxis in surgery, effort should be put into developing guidelines acceptable to surgeons, in adequately distributing the guidelines and to facilitating logistics. Audits of surgical prophylaxis may help hospitals to identify barriers in surgical adherence.

Keywords: SSI, Prophylaxis, Antibiotic, Compliance.