Questionnaire survey of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis in Italian surgical departments.
Correct antibiotic prophylaxis reduces the incidence of postoperative infections. 600 questionnaires on perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis were sent to Italian Surgical Departments. Each questionnaire included a series of 17 multi-choice-questions concerning the specific approach of the department to: organization, type, timing, duration, auditing of prophylaxis. 435 departments (72.5%) responded to the questionnaire; 50 of these were blank, so 385 out of 435 (88.5%) were suitable for statistical evaluation. Results were as follows: 90.5% of departments perform some form of prophylaxis under the control, in 90.5% of cases, of surgeons; 89.3% differentiate antibiotics according to class of operation; 67.4% give the antibiotic preoperatively and prefer i.v. injection (61.0%), mostly in the ward (56.2%); in 33.3% of cases the prophylaxis is standard (more than 2 doses), but 55.8% of Italian surgeons do not give a boost-dose in operations longer than 3 h; 54.2% of patients receive a cephalosporin (mostly III generation), with a rotation of molecules in 53.9% of cases; 71.7% of departments register the incidence of infections, but only 43.2% control the patients 30 days after surgery; finally, 54.2% of departments work together with a bacteriology laboratory active 24 hours, while in 81.7% of cases the hospital has an Infection Committee which meets together usually without a programmed date (60.3%). In conclusion, antibiotic prophylaxis in Italian Surgery Departments appears adequate, even though some problems still remain regarding time-dose-duration-schedule, rotation of molecules, excess of cephalosporins, availability of a 24-h bacteriological laboratory and infection surveillance after discharge.
Colizza
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S
General Surgery, Fatebenefratelli-Isola Tiberina, Rome, Italy. sergio.colizza@tiscalinet.it
Rossi
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S
Daffina
A
A
D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires