ABSTRACT
Introduction: The third most commonly reported nosocomial infection is surgical site infection (SSI). This infection has an adverse impact on the hospital as well as on the patient. A continuous surveillance is required and a check on the occurrence of SSI is essential. Objectives: 1. To study the incidence of SSIs in our institution. 2. To study the predisposing factors in causation of SSIs. 3. To study the effect of antibiotic prophylaxis in the prevention of SSIs. Methodology: A 1-year study of SSI was conducted in our hospital. 82 cases of surgery were included in the study. A few host factors, wound factors, and surgery-related factors that cause SSIs were studied. Post-operative examination was done after 48 h or even earlier if there was soakage or patient had high temperature or disproportionate pain at the site of wound, and thereafter, it was done every 2nd day or as and when needed. Patients were followed up till their stitches were removed. Patients were told about the signs of SSI and were asked to report to the observer as soon as they noticed first sign of SSI till 1 month. Results: Incidence of SSI was 24.3% in our study. The incidence was found to increase with advancing age, anemia, increase blood sugar levels, prolonged duration of surgical procedure, duration and timing of surgery, addiction, and post-operative use of drain in surgeries. Escherichia coli (12.1%) and Staphylococcus aureus (8.53%) were the most commonly isolated organism with SSI in our institution. Conclusions: The outcome of the SSI surveillance in hospital revealed that to decrease the incidence of SSI the duration of the surgeries performed should be decreased. Identification of poor risk patients should be done and their proper management should be ensured.