Abstract

ROLE OF PROPHYLACTIC ANTIBIOTICS IN PREVENTING SURGICAL SITE INFECTION

Auday Qaid Khalaf Altememy*

ABSTRACT

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) account for 14-16% of the estimated 2 million nosocomial infections affecting hospitalized patients in the United States. Internationally, the frequency of SSI is difficult to monitor because criteria for diagnosis might not be standardized. A survey sponsored by the World Health Organization demonstrated a prevalence of nosocomial infections varying from 3-21%, with wound infections accounting for 5-34% of the total. Surgical wound infections increase health care costs by about 1.5 billion /year, prolonged hospitalization stay and increased morbidity/ mortality. The goals of prophylactic administration of antibiotics to surgical patients are to Reduce the incidence of surgical site infection and then it’s costly treatment, Minimize the effect of antibiotics on the patient’s normal bacterial flora by avoiding long term use of antibiotics, Minimize adverse effects of long term use of antibiotics including mainly the emergency of antibiotic resistance and Cause minimal change to the patients’ host defenses

Keywords: .