Surgical Site Infections at a Saudi Hospital: The Need for a National Surveillance Program

Abstract

Surgical site infection (SSI) continues to be a global health problem that causes increased morbidity and mortality, especially in developing countries. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of SSI, the microbial pathogens, and their resistance patterns, as well as to identify risk factors associated with this infection at a Saudi tertiary care hospital. This cross-sectional observational study involved all patients who had undergone surgery and who stayed in the hospital for at least 48 hours during a 1-year period. SSI was diagnosed using the guidelines of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A total of 2160 patients were included, and the overall SSI rate was 10.2%. Malignancy [odds ratio (OR) = 1.63], duration of operation (OR = 1.41), high American Society of Anesthesiologists score (OR = 1.8), and clean-contaminated (OR = 1.5) and contaminated (OR = 3.2) operations were found to be statistically significant risk factors for SSI. The most frequently isolated microorganisms were Acinetobacter spp (31.5%), Escherichia coli (25.5%), and Pseudomonas spp (17.9%). This study further illustrates the burden of SSI in a typical hospital situation in developing countries. Our findings highlight the urgent need to develop a consistent national surveillance program for SSI, with accurate feedback of appropriate data to help surgeons control and reduce the SSI rates in developing countries.