Chemoprophylaxis and the consumption of antibiotics in surgical practice
Journal Title: Αρχεία Ελληνικής Ιατρικής - Year 2008, Vol 25, Issue 5
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Surgical site infections (SSI) remain among the main causes of postoperative morbidity, prolonging hospitalization and increasing the cost of medical treatment in surgical units. In the present study the consumption of antibiotics was compared in a surgical department before and after the implementation of a pilot program, consisting of the administration of 1-3 doses of antibiotics to patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery. METHOD A pilot program was applied of the administration of antibiotic chemoprophylaxis to patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery. Administration of the first dose of antibiotic was made after the induction of anesthesia and up to two further doses of antibiotic were administered postoperatively. This regime was put into effect for a time period of two months (May and June 2002), after which the results were compared with the respective months of the previous year, before the program implementation (May and June 2001), in respect to the consumption and the cost of antibiotic treatment during patient's hospitalization. RESULTS Statistical analysis of the results showed a decrease of the hospitalization cost without increasing patient morbidity. In addition, the pilot program improved the effectiveness of the newer antibiotics restriction program, as their consumption was reduced by 53% and their acquisition cost by 47%. CONCLUSIONS Administration of chemoprophylaxis intraoperatively, with up to two doses postoperatively, can be safely applied in patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery, reducing the use of antibiotics and decreasing hospitalization cost, without affecting patient morbidity.
Authors and Affiliations
K. ALEXIOU, G. ANTZAKLIS, E. KONSTANTINIDOU, A. ANTONIADOU, J. KARANIKAS, H. GIAMARELLOU
Keywords
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