The Effect of Pharmacist Interventions on the Antimicrobial Prevention Pattern in Vascular and Gastrointestinal Surgeries: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Introduction: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are common postoperative complications, necessitating effective preventive strategies such as pharmacist interventions. This study explores the impact of pharmacist interventions on the antimicrobial prophylaxis model in vascular and gastrointestinal surgeries. Methods: We enrolled 200 adult postoperative patients, dividing them into two groups of 100 each. Initially, both groups received antibiotics based on surgeons' recommendations. Subsequently, all participants underwent pharmacist consultations. The first group continued antibiotics per surgeons' guidance, while the second group followed pharmacists' recommendations. We then compared SSI incidence between the two groups, recording data in an SPSS file. Results: Initially, surgeons prescribed prophylactic antibiotics for 71% of the first group and all of the second group. Pharmacist interventions revealed inaccuracies in antibiotic type, dosage, or duration in 80% and 88% of cases, respectively. The second group better adhered to recommended guidelines for treatment duration (P=0.007), accurate dosage (P=0.0001), and re-administration necessity. Moreover, SSI occurrence significantly decreased in the second group (P=0.0001). Conclusion: Pharmacist interventions play a critical role in reducing SSI incidence. Further research is needed to elucidate pharmacists' roles in decreasing postoperative infections and complications and establishing guidelines for their presence in surgical wards.