Antibiotic prophylaxis is an important measure for the control of surgical site infection. Its principles are well establish in the literature. However, at least 40% of the indications for prophylaxis are inadequate. One of the most common errors is related to the duration of the prophylaxis, which is frequently greater than 48 hours. Adjustments made in prophylaxis would not only decrease surgical site infection rates, but also contribute to the reduction of the selection of resistant bacteria in hospitals and reduce costs. The establishment of prophylaxis routine does not guarante the correct use of antibiotics by surgeons. This study was conducted in the Disciplina de Gastroenterologia Cirúrgica of the Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina. The aim of the study were to evaluate the adequate use of the prophylactic antibiotic and its effect on the surgical site infection rate. Antibiotic utilization for 24 hours or less was considered adequate. Of the 318 surgical procedures performed before and after the implementation of the study; 67.9% were followed by the use of prophylactic antibiotic. There was a reduction of inadequate use of antibiotic from 46.3% to 20.4% (χ2 15.59; p < 0.005). Infection of the surgical site occurred in 35.8% of the procedures. No significant change in this percentage was observed with the correct use of prophylactic antibiotic.
Surgical wound infections; Prophylactic antibiotic; Hospital infections