title: Audit of timing of antibiotic prophylaxis in hip and knee arthroplasty.
abstract: Infection following arthroplasty can have devastating consequences. Antibiotic prophylaxis is routinely given in modern orthopaedic practice in an attempt to reduce infection rates. The aim is to achieve clinically useful tissue concentrations of antibiotic peri-operatively, and this is accomplished with antibiotic administration at induction of anaesthesia and at 6 and 12 h post-operatively. The case notes of 16 consecutive patients undergoing elective joint replacement surgery were reviewed. All received antibiotic prophylaxis, but the time intervals between doses were longer than the current standard in 50% of patients for the second dose and 81% of patients for the third dose. Our practice has been reviewed to ensure that all patients receive antibiotics at the appropriate times.
authors.affiliation: Cardiff Royal Infirmary, UK.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D002444:Cefuroxime / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D011300:Preoperative Care; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002511:Cephalosporins; D002444:Cefuroxime