Appropriate Use of Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis

https://jkms.org Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the leading cause of healthcare-associated infections and the development of SSI results in prolonged hospital stay, extra costs, and increased morbidity and mortality.1 Antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent SSI is one of the most widely accepted practices in surgery.2 Several guidelines for surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) have been published and there is considerable agreement in recommendations for antibiotic selection and timing, and duration of SAP.3 Optimal prophylaxis requires application to the appropriate types of operations, selection of safe and effective antibiotics, initial and additional antibiotic dose administration to maintain effective serum and tissue levels throughout the operation, and discontinuation when the patient is no longer receiving a benefit.2