Benefit of a Single Preoperative Dose of Antibiotics in a Sub-Saharan District Hospital: Minimal Input, Massive Impact

Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) have an important socioeconomic impact prolonging the period of hospitalization and rehabilitation. Patients with SSIs are five times more likely to be readmitted and are even twice as likely to die compared to patients with similar interventions without SSI. In non-industrialized countries, the incidence of SSIs is higher and the consequences of SSI are even more severe: Many hospitals lack appropriate facilities for early diagnosis and treatment. In addition, microbiological identification of pathogens and susceptibility testing are rarely available, a prerequisite for targeted treatment of SSIs. Overcrowding and understaffing are additional risk factors for SSIs, common in these countries.

A study conducted at the local surgeons' suggestion in an 82-bed department of general surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, urology and orthopedics at the St. Francis Designated District Hospital (SFDDH) in Ifakara (Southern Tanzania) showed an SSI-rate of 21.6%.

The analyses of this study identified two major risk factors for SSI in clean and clean-contaminated surgical procedures: Inadequate timing of administration of routine antimicrobial prophylaxis (AMP) and inappropriate selection of antibiotics not covering the most commonly observed pathogens.

Therefore, an intervention study was discussed with the local surgeon in charge to improve selection and timing of routine AMP and thereby reduce the rate of SSIs.

The study design and objective were presented to all the staff during a general meeting and special duties and responsibilities discussed with the individual colleagues. Furthermore we distributed pocket flow sheets to the involved staff and hung up some laminated flow sheets in theatre.