Who Gets Hospital Infection and Why? A Study to Determine Incidence of Hospital Infections In the Surgical Units of Tertiary Level Hospitals of Rawalpindi

Abstract

Post operative infections form a significant portion of the hospital acquired infections, they lead to increased morbidity and mortality and place a huge economic burden on patients and the health facility, which is easily preventable without a significant financial impact on both. A prospective study was conducted, to find out the incidence rate and risk factors for postoperative infections, in Rawalpindi General Hospital and Holy Family Hospital the two largest tertiary care hospitals in Rawalpindi. Data was gathered from admitted patients, in the general surgery unit, from 15th June till i h August and the respective p.t~~nts were followed up postoperatively, in the hospital out patient departments. In this study no patients developed any systemic infection, however the postoperative wound infection rate was 11 %. An association was found between the risk factors of advanced age, lack of education, prolonged duration of operation and development of postoperative wound infection that was statistically significant. However the most important factor associated with postoperative wound infection, found in this study was, the time of surgery, and it was concluded, that patients who had elective surgery early in the morning, were 33 times less likely to develop these infections as compared to the ones operated afterwards. Post operative wound infections can be prevented easily by adherence to stringent aseptic techniques, following the rules for cleaning and disinfection, regular monitoring with feedback, of the rate of post operative wound infections, to the surgeons and adequate and timely use of antibiotics. Detailed briefing of the patient, at the time of discharge, by the resident doctors about home care and follow up should also be emphasized repeatedly, by the consultants to help reduce the rate of this complication