The purpose of the study: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and structure of surgical site infections in the Department of Orthopaedis - Trauma Unit in Regional Hospital. St. Luke in Tarnow in 2008-2012.
Materials and methods: Data analysis included 7189 patients operated in 2008-2012. The data collection and analysis used standard statistical tools and definitions for nosocomial infections issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Results: In the study group it was 91 cases of SSI (surgical site infection), including 35 patients (38%) with post-operative open reduction of long bone fracture (FX), 16 (18%) with reduction of closed fractures (CR), 15 patients (16%) undergoing hip endoprosthesis (HPRO), 13 (14%) with open reduction surgery of small bones (OR-OTHER), 4 (4%) after knee endoprosthesis surgery (KPRO), and 8 (9%), after treatments of other infections (OTHER). The latter have not been taken into account in the further analysis due to the small number and variety of surgical procedures. The incidence of SSI was for: FX from 2.6 (2008) to 4.1 (2011); CR from 1.2 (2012) 4.8 (2008), HPRO from 0.7 (2012) to 1.3 (2009 r.), OR-OTHER from 0 (2009) to 4.5 (2010); KPRO from 0 (2010-2012) to 2.1 (2009). Among the etiological factors isolated from clinical materials derived from patients diagnosed with infections dominated Gram-positive bacteria, especially Staphylococcus-aureus: HPRO-40%, KPRO-75% FX-46%, OR-OTHER-62%, CR-63%, OTHER -38%. Strains resistant to methicillin (MRSA) were not reported.
Conclusion: Prevention measures implemented in many areas of the potential impact on risk factors for SSI, has helped to achieve in 2012, the lowest rate of infection for all the analyzed procedures in the last 5 years. Conducting targeted surveillance of surgical site infection keeps morbidity associated with SSI at an acceptably low level and allows for precise planning of the preventive measures in this area.