Surveillance of surgical site infections after open heart surgery
Rosanna Loss A , Günter Marggraf B , J. Adam Piotrowski B , Jaroslaw Benedik B , Birgit Ross C D , Dorothea Hansen C , Heinz G. Jakob B and Walter Popp C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Department of Public Health, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie, 37134 Verona, Italy.
B Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122 Essen, Germany.
C Hospital Hygiene, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122 Essen, Germany.
D Corresponding author. Email: birgit.ross@uk-essen.de
Healthcare Infection 17(2) 41-44 https://doi.org/10.1071/HI11028
Submitted: 21 November 2011 Accepted: 11 January 2012 Published: 1 May 2012
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) following open heart surgery and to identify the most frequent risk factors for these infections.
Methods: A prospective surveillance was performed during the period from January 2011 to June 2011 at the Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit of the Universitätsklinikum, Essen, Germany. Wound infections were defined according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and USA National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) system criteria.
Results: In total, 405 patients were included; 84.4% were elective procedures, 60.0% represented by coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus screening was performed on 93.3% of patients, and perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis with a first-generation cephalosporin was administered in 94% of cases. SSIs occurred in seven patients (1.7%): two (0.5%) were superficial infections and five (1.2%) were deep infections. All infections occurred after CABG procedures and were diagnosed after discharge.
Conclusions: Preventing SSIs in the operating room is a primary goal for the surgical team. Although the incidence rate of SSIs is low, it is necessary to maintain continuous surveillance and to implement preventive measures.
Additional keywords: wound infection.
References
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