Surgical site infections after neurosurgery can have devastating consequences, but active surveillance can reduce the likelihood of SSI risk factors being overlooked, according to a recent study published in the American Journal of Infection Control.
Researchers conducted their prospective cohort study over a 24-month period in a university center. All total, nearly 950 adult patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures, with the exception of open skull fractures, were included.
During the study period, the hospital established an active surveillance program with regular feedback and isolated specific microorganisms to identify independent risk factors for surgical site infections.
Highlighted below are five findings from the study.
- Of all the patients studied, 43 were diagnosed with an SSI, or 4.5 percent of the patients.
- The researchers observed a significant reduction in postneurosurgical SSIs from 5.8 percent in 2009 to 3 percent in 2010.
- During the study period, the most common microorganisms isolated from SSIs were Staphylococcus aureus (in 23 percent of the cases), Enterobacteriaceae (21 percent) and Propionibacterium acnes (12 percent).
- The following independent risk factors were linked with postcranial surgery SSIs: an intensive care unit stay of seven days or longer, a drainage that lasted three or more days and cerebrospinal fluid leakages.
- For postspinal surgery, SSIs were linked with the following: an intensive care unit stay of seven days or longer, a coinfection and a drainage that lasted three or more days.
Ultimately, the researchers concluded that active surveillance with regular feedback is an effective SSI-reducing strategy and infection control measures that target the postoperative period are promising.
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