STUDY ABOUT THE PREVALENCE OF SURGICAL SITE INFECTIONS IN POST-OPERATIVE PATIENTS AND ITS ANTIMICROBIAL SENSITIVITY PATTERN IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN CHENNAI.

Abstract

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are associated with increased morbidity and mortality as they can cause delay in recovery, increase length of stay and increased health care costs. This study was conducted to find out the prevalence and sensitivity pattern of surgical site infections among post surgical cases admitted at the wards of the General surgery department. METHODOLOGY The prospective cohort study was conducted for a period of one year from December 2013 to December 2014. Two swabs were collected from the  surgical site of which one swab was used for direct smear examination after Gram staining and the other swab was subjected to culture and antibiotic sensitivity testing by  standard microbiological techniques. RESULTS Out of 100 patients selected in this study the prevalence of SSI is 32. Reduced infection rate was seen in elective surgeries (17.2), surgeries with minimal duration (12.5).Isolates obtained were mostly Staphylococcus aureus (25.5) and Escherichia coli (23.2).Higher resistance to   Gentamicin, Cotrimoxazole and Ampicillin were observed.  CONCLUSION SSI can be prevented by using a systemic           approach of preoperative workup, intraoperative preparedness and post-operative monitoring. Development of a suitable              antibiotic policy and surveillance is essential to reduce the            surgical site infection rates.