INCIDENCE OF SURGICAL SITE INFECTIONS FOLLOWING SURGERY AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN.

JPUMHS;2024:14:01,27-32. http://doi.org/10.46536/jpumhs/2024/14.01.490

Abstract

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Post-operative surgical wound infection is basically, any infection that develops in a wound
following surgery. Urinary tract infections are the most frequent hospital-acquired infections, followed by surgical
site infections (SSIs). SSIs are a major lobal public health concern and contribute significantly to patients’
morbidity and mortality. The antibiotic resistance linked to surgical site infections is also a global therapeutic
problem for healthcare providers. METHODS: Patients admitted to surgery and surgical allied wards of the
Lahore General Hospital were included in this cross-sectional study. Using a non-probability convenient sampling
strategy, 83 patients in total were enrolled for the study. The relevant points for including SSIs were: Pus or
purulent discharge from an incision accompanied by pain, any two distinguishing symptoms of inflammation, and
surgeon's diagnosis of SSI. RESULTS: The patients' average age was 36.82 ± 18.91 years. Out of 83 patients, the
SSI rate has been found to be 27.71 %, with 23 of them experiencing SSIs. Out of nine patients over 60 years old,
four (44.4%) had SSIs, indicating a higher incidence of SSIs in older people. Compared to patients in rural areas,
those in urban areas had a greater likelihood of SSIs. Similarly compared to patients operated with an emergency
surgery (27.77%), patients operated under an elective surgery had a higher prevalence of surgical site infections
(SSIs; 37.93%). Of the 19 patients, seven (36.8%) had SSIs; these individuals were more likely to be obese.
CONCLUSION: According to the findings, patients admitted to Lahore General Hospital had a high incidence
of SSIs. Co-morbidities, advanced age, obesity, duration of surgery, major operations, and anemia were the main
risk variables that were found. It is important to take action to reduce SSIs in these high-risk populations.