title: Prophylactic antibiotics and prevention of surgical site infections.
abstract: Healthcare-associated infections present a significant source of preventable morbidity and mortality. More than 30% of all healthcare-associated infections are represented by surgical site infections, making them the most common subtype. Studies suggest that 40% to 60% of these infections are preventable, yet many hospitals have yet to implement evidence-based best practices. This article reviews the impact of surgical site infections, describes their measurement and reporting, and most importantly provides perioperative strategies for their prevention with a focus on the appropriate use of prophylactic antibiotics.
authors: Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors: Peter A
authors: PA
authors: Najjar
authors: Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Electronic address: dsmink@partners.org.
authors: Douglas S
authors: DS
authors: Smink
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D006801:Humans; D019990:Perioperative Care; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Perioperative infection control; Prophylactic antibiotics; Surgical site infection