Pre-Operativeand Post-Operative Antibiotic Strategiesfor Prevention of Surgical Site Infection: A Focus on Infection Control Protocol in the Surgery Ward

Abstract

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are among the most common healthcare-associated infections and remain a significant cause of postoperative morbidity, prolonged hospitalisation, and increased healthcare costs. This prospective observational study evaluated the effectiveness of pre-operative and post-operative antibiotic strategies in preventing SSIs among patients undergoing general surgical procedures. The study was conducted over six months in the Department of General Surgery at SVS Medical College and Hospital, Mahabubnagar, and included 100 patients. Data on patient demographics, comorbidities, type of surgery, antibiotic selection, timing of administration, dosage, duration of therapy, and postoperative outcomes were collected from medical records and clinical observations. Patients were monitored throughout their hospital stay for the development of SSIs. The mean age of the study population was approximately 44 years, with males constituting the majority of participants. The overall incidence of SSIs was 35%, including 31 cases of superficial SSI and 4 cases of deep SSI, while no organ/space infections were observed. Higher infection rates were identified among patients with diabetes mellitus and those undergoing major surgical procedures. Ceftriaxone-based regimens were the most commonly prescribed prophylactic antibiotics. Patients who developed SSIs had longer hospital stays than those without infections. The findings demonstrate that appropriate perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis, including correct antibiotic selection, timely administration, and adherence to recommended guidelines, plays a vital role in reducing the incidence of surgical site infections, improving postoperative recovery, and enhancing the quality of surgical care.