An observational study of incidence of surgical site infections in gastrointestinal surgeries

Background: This study analysed the incidence of surgical site infections in gastrointestinal surgeries and its risk factors. so this study helped us in reducing surgical site infection by avoiding or minimizing that risk factors.Methods: The present study was conducted at general surgery department, SMIMER, Surat. An observational study of 400 cases that have undergone abdominal surgery in SMIMER hospital and were followed up from the day of operation to 30 days after discharge was done.Results: The overall infection rate for a total of the 400 cases was 17.25%. The incidence rate in this study was well within the infection rates of 2.8% to 17% seen in other studies. Different studies from India at different places have shown the SSI (surgical site infection) rate to vary from 6.09% to 38.7%.Conclusions: Our study reveals that though SSIs have been widely studied since a long time, they still remain as one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in surgically treated patients.

Enhancing recovery: Joining the Improving Surgical Care and Recovery programme to decrease colorectal surgical site infections

Aim Surgical site infections after colorectal surgery are a clinical and financial challenge in healthcare. The purpose of this project was to decrease the rate of surgical site infections in colorectal surgical patients in a community hospital with an academic cancer centre in the United States of America. Method The Quality Improvement Department obtained data to measure the hospital’s performance with colorectal surgical patients. The data examined the surgical site infection rate and the length of stay. A multidisciplinary team was established to implement protocols to improve compliance. Results More than 200 patients received a colorectal surgical resection at the hospital. The implemented protocols decreased both the surgical site infection rate and the length of stay (9.1–0% and median 6–4 days respectively). Discussion Challenges with implementation of the Improving Surgical Care and Recovery programme, in a community setting, are discussed. The challenges were worked through collaboratively to achieve the best outcomes for the patients. Conclusion The interdisciplinary committee used evidence-based practices to enhance the care of the colorectal patients. Some of the protocols that emerged were: patient education, pain medication, mechanical bowel preparation and antibiotics, as well as early alimentation. The protocols are discussed in Tables 1 to 4.

Implementation of vaginal preparation prior to caesarean section

IntroductionSurgical site infections following caesarean section are associated with significant morbidity. Vaginal preparation is the cleansing of the vaginal epithelium with an antibacterial solution to reduce the bacterial load and therefore reduce ascending genital tract infection. It is recommended by the WHO and a Cochrane review in 2018 concluded that vaginal preparation immediately before caesarean section probably reduces the rates of postoperative endometritis.ObjectiveTo implement vaginal preparation prior to caesarean section at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and reduce rates of deep surgical site infections.MethodsThe protocol (included within the appendices) for vaginal preparation prior to caesarean section was developed after reviewing the available evidence. Two vaginal preparation champions, a midwife and a scrub nurse, were selected to help promote and assist in the implementation. The first implementation cycle included elective and category II and III caesarean sections. To ensure acceptability, 20 women were asked to complete a questionnaire following vaginal preparation. Once the intervention was being performed in >85% of eligible women, the inclusion criteria was expanded to include category I caesarean sections.ResultsTwelve months following implementation, vaginal preparation was still being performed in 89% of eligible women. The deep surgical site infection rate is now the lowest recorded in the last 6 years. Vaginal preparation prior to caesarean section was acceptable to pregnant women and no adverse effects were reported.ConclusionsVaginal preparation prior to caesarean section has been successfully implemented at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. This simple, cheap intervention, performed with readily available materials, is still being performed in a high number of caesarean sections 12 months post-implementation. It has resulted in a reduction in deep surgical site infections. Involvement of key stakeholders and the recruitment of vaginal preparation champions were key to success.

Dual antibiotic prevention bundle is associated with decreased surgical site infections

BackgroundGynecologic oncology surgery is associated with a wide variation in surgical site infection risk. The optimal method for infection prevention in this heterogeneous population remains uncertain.Study DesignA retrospective cohort study was performed to compare surgical site infection rates for patients undergoing hysterectomy over a 1-year period surrounding the implementation of an institutional infection prevention bundle. The bundle comprised pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative interventions including a dual-agent antibiotic surgical prophylaxis with cefazolin and metronidazole. Cohorts consisted of patients undergoing surgery during the 6 months prior to this intervention (pre-bundle) versus those undergoing surgery during the 6 months following the intervention (post-bundle). Secondary outcomes included length of stay, readmission rates, compliance measures, and infection microbiology. Data were compared with pre-specified one-sided exact test, Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, or Kruskal–Wallis test as appropriate.ResultsA total of 358 patients were included (178 PRE, 180 POST). Median age was 58 (range 23–90) years. The post-bundle cohort had a 58% reduction in surgical site infection rate, 3.3% POST vs 7.9% PRE (−4.5%, 95% CI −9.3% to −0.2%, p=0.049) as well as reductions in organ space infection, 0.6% POST vs 4.5% PRE (−3.9%, 95% CI −7.2% to −0.7%, p=0.019), and readmission rates, 2.2% POST vs 6.7% PRE (−4.5%, 95% CI −8.7% to −0.2%, p=0.04). Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and anaerobic bacteria were all prevalent in surgical site infection cultures. There were no monomicrobial infections in post-cohort cultures (0% POST vs 58% PRE, p=0.04). No infections contained methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.ConclusionImplementation of a dual antibiotic infection prevention bundle was associated with a 58% reduction in surgical site infection rate after hysterectomy in a surgically diverse gynecologic oncology practice.