Antibiotic Optimisation In Vascular Surgery – A Quality Improvement Project

Sarah Jane Messeder*, Bryce Renwick and Alasdair Wilson

Received: March 25, 2019;   Published:April 04, 2019

DOI: 10.32474/SCSOAJ.2019.02.000144

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Introduction

Surgical infections are a serious cause of morbidity and mortality. Infections within vascular surgery pose a serious threat not only to limb but also to life. For example, graft infection can result in widespread systemic infection, sepsis and death. The incidence of prosthetic graft infections has been shown to vary from 1 to 6% [1]. However, the morbidity associated is strongly related to the site of surgery and operation performed with studies demonstrating a 21% early operative mortality and 50% 5-year mortality with an infected prosthetic aortic aneurysm repair [2]. Antibiotic prophylaxis is used within surgery to minimise these complications and ultimately improve mortality. The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) has assessed the requirement for which vascular operations require antibiotic prophylaxis. In their most recent guideline antibiotic, surgical procedures are grouped into surgical specialities to determine whether antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended, to be considered or not required [3].

Introduction| Materials and Methods| Results| First Audit Cycle| Second Audit Cycle| Discussion| Conclusion| References|