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Objective Our purpose was to evaluate maternal nosocomial infection rates according to the incision technique used for caesarean delivery, in a routine surveillance study. Study design This was a prospective study of 5123 cesarean deliveries (43.2% Joel–Cohen, 56.8% Pfannenstiel incisions) in 35 maternity units (Mater Sud Est network). Data on routine surveillance variables, operative duration, and three additional variables (manual removal of the placenta, uterine exteriorization, and/or cleaning of the parieto-colic gutter) were collected. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for infection. Results The overall nosocomial infection and endometritis rates were higher for the Joel–Cohen than Pfannenstiel incision (4.5% vs. 3.3%, 0.8% vs. 0.3%, respectively). The higher rate of nosocomial infections with the Joel–Cohen incision was due to a greater proportion of patients presenting risk factors (i.e., emergency delivery, primary cesarean, blood loss ≥800 mL, no manual removal of the placenta and no uterine exteriorization). However, the Joel–Cohen technique was an independent risk factor for endometritis. Conclusion The Joel–Cohen technique is faster than the Pfannenstiel technique but is associated with a higher incidence of endometritis.

Objectives.To identify independent risk factors for endometritis and urinary tract infection (UTI) after vaginal delivery, and to monitor changes in nosocomial infection rates and derive benchmarks for prevention.Design.Prospective study.Methods.We analyzed routine surveillance data for all vaginal deliveries between January 1997 and December 2003 at 66 maternity units participating in the Mater Sud-Est surveillance network. Adjusted odds ratios for risk of endometritis or UTI were obtained using a logistic regression model.Results.The overall incidence rates were 0.5% for endometritis and 0.3% for UTI. There was a significant decrease in the incidence and risk of endometritis but not of UTI during the 7-year period. Significant risk factors for endometritis were fever during labor, parity of 1, and instrumental delivery and/or manual removal of the placenta. Significant risk factors for UTI were urinary infection on admission, premature rupture of membranes (more than 12 hours before admission), blood loss of more than 800 mL, parity of 1, instrumental delivery, and receipt of more than 5 vaginal digital examinations. Each maternity unit received a poster showing graphs of the number of expected and observed cases of UTI and endometritis associated with vaginal deliveries, which enabled each maternity unit to determine their rank within the network and to initiate prevention programs.Conclusions.Although routine surveillance means additional work for maternity units, our results demonstrate the usefulness of regular targeted monitoring of risk factors and of the most common nosocomial infections in obstetrics. Most of the information needed for monitoring is already present in the patients' records.

Objective.To establish whether antibiotic prophylaxis against group B streptococcal infection may be a confounding factor in comparisons of rates of endometritis and urinary tract infection after vaginal delivery.Design.Prospective study.Setting.Maternity units at 48 hospitals in a regional surveillance network in France during 2001-2004.Methods.The maternity units used a common protocol to establish whether antibiotic prophylaxis was indicated. Risk factors for endometritis and urinary tract infections were evaluated using multiple logistic regression.Results.We analyzed 49,786 vaginal deliveries. The percentage of women receiving antibiotic prophylaxis varied widely and significantly among the maternity units (range, 4.4%-26.0%; median, 15.8%; 25th percentile, 12.1%; 75th percentile, 19.0%) (P < .001, by Mantel-Haenszel χ2 test). The incidence rate of endometritis was significantly reduced from 0.25% to 0.11% by antibiotic prophylaxis (P = .001). There was a decrease in the incidence of urinary tract infection from 0.37% to 0.32%, but it was not statistically significant (P = .251).Conclusions.A reduction in the incidence of endometritis was observed when intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis against group B streptococcal infection was used. However, the proportion of women considered to be at risk of infection varied widely among institutions. Comparisons of rates of endometritis among maternity units, but not urinary tract infection rates, should take into account antibiotic prophylaxis as a significant confounding factor.

Objective.To evaluate whether the adjusted rates of surgical site infection (SSI) and urinary tract infection (UTI) after cesarean delivery decrease in maternity units that perform active healthcare-associated infection surveillance.Design.Trend analysis by means of multiple logistic regression.Setting.A total of 80 maternity units participating in the Mater Sud-Est surveillance network.Patients.A total of 37,074 cesarean deliveries were included in the surveillance from January 1, 1997, through December 31, 2003.Methods.We used a logistic regression model to estimate risk-adjusted post–cesarean delivery infection odds ratios. The variables included were the maternity units' annual rate of operative procedures, the level of dispensed neonatal care, the year of delivery, maternal risk factors, and the characteristics of cesarean delivery. The trend of risk-adjusted odds ratios for SSI and UTI during the study period was studied by linear regression.Results.The crude rates of SSI and UTI after cesarean delivery were 1.5% (571 of 37,074 patients) and 1.8% (685 of 37,074 patients), respectively. During the study period, the decrease in SSI and UTI adjusted odds ratios was statistically significant (R = −0.823 [P = .023] and R = −0.906 [P = .005], respectively).Conclusion.Reductions of 48% in the SSI rate and 52% in the UTI rate were observed in the maternity units. These unbiased trends could be related to progress in preventive practices as a result of the increased dissemination of national standards and a collaborative surveillance with benchmarking of rates.