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Assessing the impact of enhanced hygiene precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic on surgical site infection risk in abdominal surgeries.

Authors :
Ganam, Samer
Sher, Theo
Assy, Rimi
Bickel, Amitai
Khoury, Antonyo
Ronit, Leiba
Kakiashvili, Eli
Source :
BMC Surgery; 9/10/2024, Vol. 24 Issue 1, p1-9, 9p
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Background: A surgical site infection (SSI) is a postoperative infection that occurs at or near the surgical incision. SSIs significantly increase morbidity, mortality, length of hospital stay, and healthcare costs. The World Health Organization (WHO) has established hospital hygiene precaution guidelines for the prevention of SSIs, which were enhanced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study aims to explore the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on SSI incidence among initially uninfected postoperative patients. We hypothesize that these enhanced precautions would reduce the incidence of SSIs. Materials and methods: A retrospective study comparing surgical outcomes before and during the pandemic. Patients who had abdominal surgery between June and December 2019 (Non-COVID-19) or between February and June 2020 (COVID-19) were included. The two groups were matched in a 1:1 ratio based on age, Sex, acuity (elective or emergent), surgical approach, and comorbidities. Electronic medical records were reviewed to identify SSIs and hospital readmissions within 30 days after surgery. Pearson's chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used. Results: Data was collected and analyzed from 976 patients who had surgery before the COVID-19 pandemic (non-COVID group) and 377 patients who had surgery during the pandemic (COVID group). After matching, there were 377 patients in each group. In our study, we found 23 surgical site infections (SSIs) in both laparoscopic and open surgeries. The incidence of SSIs was significantly higher in the non-COVID period compared to the COVID period [17 cases (4.5%) vs. 6 cases (1.6%), respectively, p = 0.032], especially in non-COVID open surgeries. The incidence of SSIs in laparoscopic surgeries was also higher during the non-COVID period, but not statistically significant. Conclusions: Enhanced hygiene precautions during the COVID -19 pandemic may have reduced SSIs rates following abdominal surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
14712482
Volume :
24
Issue :
1
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
BMC Surgery
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
179554103
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12893-024-02548-3