Surgical Site Infections

The restricted prophylaxis group had more than twice the SSI rate of the unrestricted group (2.41% vs 0.84%). Only 2% of cardiac surgery patients who reported wound problems had a wound swab taken. Among cardiac surgery patients prescribed antibiotics for wound complications, only 28% had a wound swab taken prior to prescribing. Most surgical site infections occur after hospital discharge and the majority are superficial. Around 5% of surgical patients in England experience a wound infection, representing approximately 250,000 cases annually. Approximately 20% of patients undergoing surgery in England develop a wound complication, equating to around one million cases per year. SSI definitions were consistent with CDC criteria and included superficial incisional, deep incisional, and organ or space infections. SSI after spinal surgery can worsen patient outcomes, prolong hospitalisation, increase healthcare costs, and require additional surgical intervention. In unadjusted comparisons, restricted prophylaxis was associated with higher SSI incidence, with OR 2.90 (95% CI 2.51–3.34). After multivariable adjustment, restricted prophylactic antibiotic use remained independently associa…