P M George1. 1. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Antibiotic prophylaxis is frequently used for the prevention of infection at a distant site such as the heart valve or prosthetic joint. However, there are no published data describing how dermatologists manage patients "at risk". OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to document prophylactic antibiotic use by dermatologists. METHODS: A total of 211 randomly selected community dermatologists and 69 academic dermatologic surgeons were surveyed by questionnaire to determine whether they would provide antibiotic prophylaxis in 20 different clinical situations. RESULTS: This survey showed that under certain circumstances, almost all dermatologists provide antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent infection at a distant site. However, many dermatologists use antibiotics in settings with relatively little or no indication and confuse a prophylactic regimen with treatment of a superficial infection. CONCLUSION: This survey underscores the need for education and research into the prophylactic management of patients "at risk" who undergo dermatologic surgical procedures.
BACKGROUND: Antibiotic prophylaxis is frequently used for the prevention of infection at a distant site such as the heart valve or prosthetic joint. However, there are no published data describing how dermatologists manage patients "at risk". OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to document prophylactic antibiotic use by dermatologists. METHODS: A total of 211 randomly selected community dermatologists and 69 academic dermatologic surgeons were surveyed by questionnaire to determine whether they would provide antibiotic prophylaxis in 20 different clinical situations. RESULTS: This survey showed that under certain circumstances, almost all dermatologists provide antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent infection at a distant site. However, many dermatologists use antibiotics in settings with relatively little or no indication and confuse a prophylactic regimen with treatment of a superficial infection. CONCLUSION: This survey underscores the need for education and research into the prophylactic management of patients "at risk" who undergo dermatologic surgical procedures.
Authors: Mimi R Borrelli; Vikram Sinha; Madeleine L Landin; Maria Chicco; Kezia Echlin; Riaz A Agha; Alastair MacKenzie Ross Journal: Int J Surg Protoc Date: 2019-02-28