Evaluation of current practices in surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis before and after implementation of local guidelines.

The aim of antibiotic prophylaxis (ABP) is to prevent or at least decrease the incidence of postoperative surgical wound infections. In 1992 and 1995, ABP was the subject of two French consensus conferences. Following these conferences, the local Antibiotics Committee of Hopital Saint-Louis has undertaken a study to evaluate and eventually improve the current practices of ABP. This study was carried out in three steps: a first survey of ABP, the writing of local ABP guidelines and a second survey of ABP after the implementation of these recommendations. Concerning all surgical wards, the first survey found 69% (N = 100/145) of ABP practice is to be inappropriate vs. 18% (N = 25/139) in the second survey. Indications, choice of drugs, selection of dosage, administration timing and treatment duration were significantly improved in the second survey. Writing and implementing local recommendations promoted a more rational use of ABP. In addition, this study allowed Saint-Louis Hospital to set up recommendations for plastic surgery; such recommendations are poorly described in the literature. Copyright 2001 The Hospital Infection Society.