A PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF SURGICAL SITE INFECTION IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTER IN NORTH INDIA

BACKGROUND: Surgical Site Infections (SSI) is dened as an infection related to an operative procedure that occurs at or near the surgical incision within 30 days of the procedure, or within 90 days if prosthetic material is implanted at surgery—is among the most common preventable complication after surgery. OBJECTIVES: To study the incidence and risk factors of SSI in our hospital and to nd out the areas which need concern and methods to reduce SSI. METHODOLOGY: Study was conducted over a period of 1 year. A total of 300 cases of General Surgery presented to our hospital were included in the study. A few host factors, wound factors and surgery related factors that cause SSI were studied. Swabs from infected surgical wounds were sent to the department of Microbiology for pus culture and sensitivity. Antibiotic sensitivity test was done by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. RESULTS: Certain associated factors such as increased duration of surgeries (>2hours) and prolonged drain placement were found to be signicantly associated with occurrence of SSI and the surgeries with class 1 (clean) wound showed minimum risk of infection. Escherichia coli (28.75%) was the commonest pathogen, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (27%) and Staphylococcus aureus (20%) .The incidence of SSI in the hospital is 7%. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study revealed that in order to decrease the incidence of SSI we need to: a) If possible try to reduce the duration of the surgeries performed b) should give emphasis on drain care c) co-morbidities should be looked for and managed prior to surgery d) a regular monitoring should be done in both emergency and elective operation theatres in order to reduce the risk of SSI.