Multicentre study on the appropriateness of surgical antibiotic prophylaxis.

A prospective study was conducted to assess the appropriateness of surgical antibiotic prophylaxis. A total of 72 surgeon-anaesthesist pairs participated in data collection, which assessed five variables: did the surgical procedure justify the use of antimicrobial prophylaxis and was it given? was an appropriate agent used?, is the timing of administration optimal?, is the duration of prophylaxis correct?, and is a proper dose given? Of the 687 procedures reviewed, 513 (74.7%) were entered in the analysis. Of these procedures, the rate of totally compliant prescriptions was 41.7%. Among the 117 patients who received an inappropriate drug, 112 (95.7%) received a drug with a broader spectrum of activity than that recommended. Prolonged prophylaxis occurred in 80 (87.9%) of the 91 patients who received prophylaxis with an incorrect duration. In conclusion, compliance with the principles of prophylactic antimicrobial administration should be strictly reviewed and conducting such audits should be part of the routine activity of infection control teams. Copyright 2001 The Hospital Infection Society.