Increase In Surgical Site Infections Research Articles

An Initiative to Prevent Surgical Site Infections After Cesarean Birth With a Quality Improvement Care Bundle

ObjectiveTo reduce surgical site infections (SSIs) after cesarean birth through a bundled care approach. DesignQuality improvement project. Setting/Local ProblemIn a community hospital obstetric unit, an increase in SSIs after cesarean birth was observed. ParticipantsNursing leaders, obstetricians, certified nurse-midwives, physician assistants, nurses, scrub technicians, a nursing professional development specialist, and an infection prevention practitioner. Interventions/MeasuresAn interdisciplinary team was formed in early 2022, and an evidence-based care bundle including practice changes, education for the team, and enhanced education for patients undergoing cesarean birth was developed and implemented after a review of the literature was completed. All cesarean births were tracked pre- and postintervention to determine the rate of SSIs per 1,000 cesarean births. ResultsA decrease in the rate of SSIs after cesarean birth was observed from preintervention (18.2 per 1,000 cesarean births) to postintervention (11.8 per 1,000 cesarean births). ConclusionAn evidence-based quality improvement care bundle using a multidisciplinary team approach was associated with reduced SSIs in an obstetric unit.

Greening Hand Surgery: Targeted Measures to Reduce Waste in Ambulatory Trigger Finger and Carpal Tunnel Decompression.

Operating rooms (ORs) produce approximately 70% of hospital waste. Greening strategies in the OR aim to reduce the environmental impact of surgery while maintaining patient safety and outcomes. The aim of this study was to strategically reduce waste and cost associated with common ambulatory hand procedures by implementing a 3-stage "green case" plan over a 1-year period in a high-volume tertiary referral hand surgery division. A 3-stage greening initiative for hand surgery was designed and implemented in ambulatory open carpal tunnel release (CTR) and trigger finger release (TFR) cases, including: (1) introduction of minor field sterility; (2) implementation of a lean and green minor hand surgery pack and reduced instrument set; and (3) elimination of gown use by surgeons and OR staff. Surgical supply usage and costs were tracked during the study period and compared with control. Each "green case" resulted in savings of $105 compared with the control cases from the preceding year, excluding cost savings associated with reduced waste processing. There was a 64% and 75% reduction in waste and costs after greening, respectively. This equates to a minimum institutional annual savings of $51 000 when used for CTR and TFR. There was no observed increase in surgical site infections or complications after the introduction of greening. Greening initiatives can be successfully implemented by surgeons to reduce waste and costs. With targeted greening of CTR and TFR procedures, we significantly reduced waste and decreased costs while maintaining patient safety and outcomes.

Safety of Concomitant Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy and Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy in Morbidly Obese Patients: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract Background Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is one of the most common bariatric procedure performed. The prevalence of cholelithiasis in morbidly obese individuals is 19–30 % and Gall stones are more symptomatic in obese patients than in non-obese patients. This study evaluates the safety of performing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the same session. Objective To evaluate the safety profile of performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy and sleeve gastrectomyin the same session in terms of : The incidence of biliary leakage. The incidence of gastric leakage. The incidence of intra operative bleeding from the sleeve gastrectomy and the cholecystectomy. The incidence of post-operative bleeding. The incidence of post-operative surgical site infection. Operation time. Length of hospital stay. Method Selected papers for the present meta-analysis included those that provided data from January 2010 to December 2020 on factors related to the patients who undergone laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with and without laparoscopic cholecystectomy. When institutions have published duplicate trials, only the most updated reports were included for qualitative appraisal. All publications were limited to human subjects and English language. Abstracts, case reports, conference presentations, editorials and expert opinions were excluded. Data Sources Medline databases (PubMed, Medscape, ScienceDirect. EMF-Portal) and all materials available in the Internet till 2021. Data Extraction If the studies did not fulfill the inclusion criteria, they were excluded. Study quality assessment included whether ethical approval was gained, eligibility criteria specified, appropriate controls, and adequate information and defined assessment measures. Conclusion Overall concomitant laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and laparoscopic cholecystectomy appears to be a safe procedure. The increase in surgical site infection and pneumonia may warrant prophylaxis against such infections with antibiotics. Another study is needed to determine the need and efficacy of such prophylaxis

Decreasing length of stay in breast reconstruction patients: A national analysis of 2019-2020.

The effects of COVID-19 on breast reconstruction included shifts towardalloplastic reconstruction methods to preserve hospital resources and minimize COVID exposures. We examined the effects of COVID-19 on breast reconstruction hospital length of stay (LOS) and subsequent early postoperative complication rates. Using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, we examined female patients who underwent mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction from 2019 to 2020. We compared postoperative complications across 2019-2020 for alloplastic and autologous reconstruction patients. We further performed subanalysis of 2020 patients based on LOS. Both alloplastic and autologous reconstruction patients had shorter inpatient stays. Regarding the alloplastic 2019 versus 2020 cohorts, complication rates did not differ (p > 0.05 in all cases). Alloplastic patients in 2020 with longer LOS had more unplanned reoperations (p < 0.001). Regarding autologous patients in 2019 versus 2020, the only complication increasing from 2019 to 2020 was deep surgical site infection(SSI) (2.0% vs. 3.6%, p = 0.024). Autologous patients in 2020 with longer LOS had more unplanned reoperations (p = 0.007). In 2020, hospital LOS decreased for all breast reconstruction patients with no complication differences in alloplastic patients and a slight increase in SSIs in autologous patients. Shorter LOS may lead to improved satisfaction and lower healthcare costs with low complication risk, and future research should examine the potential relationship between LOS and these outcomes.

Addressing an increase in surgical site infections during the COVID-19 pandemic—Identifying opportunities during a chaotic time

Health care systems saw increases in device-associated infections and decreases in surgical site infections (SSI) during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, following an increase in SSIs, an acute care hospital assessed the risk and preventative factors of SSIs among patients. A retrospective cohort study on surgeries performed between January 2020 and September 2021 analyzed associations of SSI with risk and preventive factors utilizing χ2, t-tests, and odds ratios. A secondary analysis was utilized to determine the association of case urgency and prevention practice performance. There was a significant difference in the administration of correct perioperative antibiotic selection between SSI (78.1%) and non-SSI (86.2%) along with 2.9 greater odds of developing an SSI with incorrect perioperative antibiotics. Patients who had urgent cases were significantly less likely than elective to receive preoperative chlorhexidine gluconate wipes (81.6%, 61.5%, respectively), correct antibiotic selection and timing (93.2%, 70.8%, respectively) and chlorhexidine and alcohol skin preparation (81.6%, 67.5%, respectively). Disruption of perioperative workflow during the COVID-19 pandemic likely resulted in an increase in SSI. Numerous opportunities were identified for focused prevention efforts. The next steps include implementing strategies to improve SSI prevention and establish a culture that can withstand workflow disruptions to maintain a safe environment during significant changes.

Climate change and (surgical) health in context

The impacts of the climate crisis will result in ahealth crisis in addition to loss of habitats and increasing supply uncertainty. In this context, the health sector and especially surgery are relevant emitters of greenhouse gases, thus contributing to the magnitude of the climate crisis. Many reviews regarding the impacts on human health are available; however, a view from the surgical perspective has so far been underrepresented. This narrative review summarizes the relevance of climate-related changes for the surgical disciplines based on aliterature search. Immediate impacts are expected by the increasing number of extreme weather events, e.g., floods, droughts and wildfires. In these settings, surgery is apart of the disaster medicine chain but simultaneously the functionality of surgical departments can be impaired or even break down when they are themselves affected by extreme weather events. Heat waves cause an increase in surgical site infections, which may lead to postponement of elective surgery for patients at high risk. Collateral impacts are mirrored by an increase in the incidence of lung and skin cancers, which often need surgical treatment within amultidisciplinary setting. Additionally, there are indirect impacts that are of a very different nature, e.g., inadequate diet which leads to further deterioration of the greenhouse gas footprint of the health sector due to the necessity of bariatric surgical capacities. The climate crisis represents amajor challenge in surgery and all other medical disciplines. At the same time is it indispensable that the health sector and therefore surgery, take steps towards azero emission pathway.

Have Surgery and Implant Modifications Been Associated With Reduction in Soft Tissue Complications in Transfemoral Bone-anchored Prostheses?

The most frequently occurring adverse events in individuals with a transfemoral amputation treated with a bone-anchored prosthesis are soft tissue infections and stoma-related complications. These soft tissue complications are believed to be influenced by surgical technique and implant design, but little is known about the effect of changes to treatment on these events. (1) What is the result of surgical technique and implant modifications on the incidence of soft tissue infections and stoma-related complications in transfemoral bone-anchored prosthesis users, depending on whether they had a conventional stoma and a cobalt-chrome-molybdenum (CoCrMo) osseointegration implant (treatment period 2009 to 2013) or a shallower stoma and titanium osseointegration implant (2015 to 2018)? (2) What is the incidence of serious complications, such as bone or implant infection, aseptic loosening, intramedullary stem breakage, and periprosthetic fracture? Between 2009 and 2013, we performed osseointegration implant surgery using a conventional surgical technique and a CoCrMo implant in 42 individuals who had a lower extremity amputation experiencing socket-related problems that resulted in limited prosthesis use. We considered all individuals treated with two-stage surgery with a standard press-fit transfemoral osseointegration implant as potentially eligible for inclusion. Based on this, 100% (42) were eligible, and 5% (two of 42) were excluded because they did not provide informed consent, leaving 95% (40 of 42) for analysis. Between 2015 and 2018, we treated 79 individuals with similar indications with osseointegration implant surgery, now also treating individuals with dysvascular amputations. We used an adapted surgical technique resulting in a shallower stoma combined with a titanium implant. Using the same eligibility criteria as for the first group, 51% (40 of 79) were eligible; 49% (39 of 79) were excluded because they were treated with transtibial amputation, a patient-specific implant, or single-stage surgery and 1% (one of 79) were lost before the 2-year follow-up interval, leaving 49% (39 of 79) for analysis. The period of 2013 to 2015 was a transitional period and was excluded from analysis in this study to keep groups reasonably comparable and to compare a historical approach with the present approach. Hence, we presented a comparative study of two study groups (defined by surgical technique and implant design) with standardized 2-year follow-up. The risk factors for adverse events were similar between groups, although individuals treated with the shallow stoma surgical technique and titanium implant potentially possessed an increased risk because of the inclusion of individuals with dysvascular amputation and the discontinuation of prolonged postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis. Outcomes studied were soft tissue infections and stoma-related complications (hypergranulation or keloid formation as well as stoma redundant tissue) and bone or implant infection, aseptic loosening, implant stem breakage, periprosthetic fracture, and death. Patients treated with the shallow stoma surgical technique and titanium implant experienced fewer soft tissue infections (13 versus 76 events, absolute risk 0.17 [95% CI 0.09 to 0.30] versus 0.93 [95% CI 0.60 to 1.45]; p < 0.01), which were treated with less invasive measures, and fewer stoma redundant tissue events (0 versus five events, absolute risk 0 versus 0.06 [95% CI 0.03 to 0.14]) than patients treated with the conventional stoma surgical technique and CoCrMo implant. This was contrasted by an increased incidence of surgical site infections occurring between surgical stages 1 and 2, when no stoma was yet created, after the implementation of treatment changes (conventional surgery and CoCrMo implant versus shallow stoma surgery and titanium implant: one versus 11 events, absolute risk 0.01 [95% CI 0.00 to 0.08] versus 0.14 [95% CI 0.08 to 0.25]; p = 0.02). Patients treated with the shallow stoma surgical technique and titanium implant did not experience serious complications, although bone infections occurred (six events in 8% [three of 40] of patients) in the conventional surgery and CoCrMo implant group, all of which were successfully treated with implant retention. Adaptations to surgical technique and newer implant designs, as well as learning curve and experience, have resulted in a reduced incidence and severity of soft tissue infections and stoma redundant tissue, contrasted by an increase in surgical site infections before stoma creation. Serious complications such as deep implant infection were infrequent in this 2-year follow-up period. We believe the benefits of these treatment modifications outweigh the disadvantages and currently advise surgeons to create a shallower stoma with a stable soft tissue envelope, combined with a titanium implant. Level III, therapeutic study.

Beta-Lactam Allergy Association with Surgical Site Infections in Pediatric Procedures: A Matched Cohort Study.

Little is known about surgical site infection (SSI) risk among pediatric patients with reported beta-lactam allergy (BLA). We performed a retrospective cohort study at a quaternary children's hospital and compared procedures in patients ages 1-19 years old with and without BLA that required antimicrobial prophylaxis (AMP) during 2010-2017. Procedures were matched 1:1 by patient age, complex chronic conditions, year of surgery, and National Surgical Quality Improvement Program current procedural terminology category. The primary outcome was SSI as defined by National Healthcare Safety Network. The secondary outcome was AMP protocol compliance as per American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Of the 11 878 procedures identified, 1021 (9%) had a reported BLA. There were 35 (1.8%) SSIs in the matched cohort of 1944 procedures with no significant difference in SSI rates in BLA procedures (1.8%) compared to no-BLA (1.9%) procedures. Tier 3 AMP was chosen more frequently among BLA procedures (P < .01). Unmatched analysis of all procedures showed that 23.7% of BLA procedures received beta-lactam-AMP (vs. 93.7% of procedures without BLA). There were no major differences in SSI on sensitivity analysis of BLA procedures that did not receive beta-lactam AMP (1.4%) compared to no-BLA procedures with beta-lactam AMP (1.6%). Our retrospective matched analysis of 1944 pediatric procedures found no increase in SSIs in procedures with reported BLA, which differs from studies in adults. We observed that the choice of beta-lactam-AMP was common, even in BLA procedures. More data are needed to delineate an association between non-beta-lactam AMP and SSI in children.

If you don’t test, they will not treat: Impact of stopping preoperative screening for asymptomatic bacteriuria

Screening for asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) is not recommended outside of patients undergoing invasive urological procedures and during pregnancy. Despite national guidelines recommending against screening for ASB, this practice is prevalent. We present outcomes from a quality-improvement intervention targeting patients undergoing cardiac artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG) at Massachusetts General Hospital, a tertiary-care hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, where preoperative testing checklists were modified to remove routine urinalysis and urine culture. This was a before-and-after intervention study. Prior to the intervention, screening for ASB was included in the preoperative check list for all patients undergoing CABG. We assessed the proportion of patients undergoing screening for ASB in the 6 months prior to and after the intervention. We estimated cost savings from averted laboratory analyses, and we evaluated changes in antibiotic prescriptions. We additionally examined the incidence of postoperative surgical-site infections (SSIs), central-line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) and Clostridioides difficile infections (CDIs). Comparing the pre- and postintervention periods, urinalyses decreased by 76.5% and urine cultures decreased by 87.0%, with an estimated cost savings of $8,090.38. There were 50% fewer antibiotic prescriptions for bacteriuria after the intervention. Removal of urinalysis and urine culture from preoperative checklists for cardiac surgery led to a statistically significant decrease in testing without an increase in SSIs, CLABSIs, CAUTIs, or CDI. Challenges identified included persistence of checklists in templated order sets in the electronic health record.

1232. Mupirocin Susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus (SA), 2022: Is It Time for Change in MRSA Decolonization?

Abstract Background Nasal decolonization with mupirocin has been a commonly used strategy for the prevention of surgical site infections (SSIs) due to SA. We recently noted an increase in SSIs due to SA despite the use of mupirocin, including a case of post-operative mupirocin-resistant MRSA infection despite intranasal mupirocin. We therefore evaluated the mupirocin susceptibility of SA at Stamford Hospital to determine the optimal regimen for decolonization. Methods SA isolates were recovered from clinical and screening samples received in the microbiology laboratory from 8/1/2020 to 2/28/2022. Mupirocin susceptibility was determined using e-tests and a standardized inoculum on Mueller-Hinton agar. Isolates were categorized as “susceptible” (MuS) with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ≤4 mcg/ml or resistant (MuR) with MIC values ≥8mcg/ml. Resistant strains were further divided into low-level resistance, with MIC values from 8 to 256 mcg/ml, and high-level resistance, with MIC values &amp;gt;256/ml. SA isolates were identified and tested for susceptibility by usual Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) criteria. Results 223 unique SA isolates from 218 patients were tested. Patients ranged in age from newborn to 94 years. Twenty-four SA isolates (10.8%) were resistant to mupirocin (20 MRSA and 4 MSSA). Of the 24 MuR strains, 19 (79.2%) isolates demonstrated high-level resistance. MRSA strains were more likely to be resistant (22.5% were MuR) than MSSA strains (3.0% were MuR) (p&amp;lt; 0.001). MuR strains did not differ from MuS strains with respect to patient age, sex, race, site of isolation, infected versus colonized, community-acquired versus hospital-acquired or inpatient/out-patient location. Conclusion Preventing surgical site infections is challenging. Decolonization with mupirocin nasal ointment has been a common component of preoperative optimization. However, the emergence of resistance would render mupirocin suboptimal and other regimens might be preferred. In our study, less than 80% of MRSA strains were MuS. These findings are concerning and have led us to reevaluate our current decolonization strategy. In patients colonized with MRSA at high risk for infection (e.g. total joint replacement), intranasal povidone iodine may be preferable to mupirocin. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures.

Emergent prelabor cesarean delivery in solid organ transplant recipients: associated risk factors and outcomes

BackgroundPregnancies after solid organ transplant are at a higher risk of antepartum admission and pregnancy complications including cesarean delivery. Emergent prelabor cesarean delivery is associated with increased maternal and neonatal morbidity in other high-risk populations, but its incidence and impact in transplant recipients is not well-understood. ObjectiveThis study aimed to characterize the risk factors and outcomes of emergency prelabor cesarean delivery in kidney and liver transplant recipients. Study DesignThis was a retrospective cohort study of all kidney and liver transplant recipients at >20 weeks gestation enrolled in the Transplant Pregnancy Registry International between 1976 and 2019. Participants admitted antepartum who required emergency prelabor cesarean delivery were compared with those admitted antepartum who underwent nonemergent birth. The primary outcomes were severe maternal morbidity and neonatal composite morbidity. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted for neonatal composite morbidity. ResultsOf 1979 births, 181 pregnancies (188 neonates) with antepartum admission were included. 51 pregnancies (53 neonates, 28%) were delivered by emergent prelabor cesarean delivery compared with 130 pregnancies (135 neonates, 72%) admitted antepartum who subsequently did not require emergent delivery. The most common indication for emergent delivery was nonreassuring fetal heart tracing (44 pregnancies /51 emergent deliveries = 86%). Pregnant people who underwent emergent prelabor cesarean delivery were less likely to deliver at a transplant center (37.3% vs 41.5%; P=.04) and had increased rates of chronic hypertension (33.3% vs 16.2%; P=.02). There was no significant difference in severe maternal morbidity (3.9% vs 4.6%; P=.84), though there was an increase in surgical site infection in the emergent prelabor cesarean delivery cohort (3.9% vs 0%; P=.02). Among those with emergent prelabor cesarean delivery, there was a significant increase in neonatal composite morbidity (43.4% vs 19.3%; P<.001) with earlier gestational age at delivery (33.4 vs 34.7 weeks; P=.02), lower birthweight (1899 g vs 2321 g; P<.001), lower birthweight percentile (30.3% vs 40.6%; P=.03), increased neonatal intensive care unit admission (52.8% vs 35.6%; P=.03), and increased neonatal mortality (11.3% vs 1.5%; P=.002). After adjusting for year of conception, race, hypertensive disorders, and fetal malformations, there was a persistent increased risk of neonatal morbidity (adjusted odds ratio, 3.01; 95% confidence interval, 1.50–6.08; P=.002) associated with emergent prelabor cesarean delivery after transplant. ConclusionAlmost one-third of kidney and liver transplant recipients admitted antepartum had an emergency prelabor cesarean delivery, and 63% of this cohort delivered outside of a transplant center. Pregnancies after transplantation should involve multidisciplinary transplant-obstetrics collaboration to ensure optimal antepartum disease management, especially for preexisting hypertension, to prevent and mitigate obstetrical and neonatal morbidity in the setting of emergent cesarean delivery.

Mupirocin susceptibility of staphylococci 2022: Is it time for a change in MRSA decolonization protocols?

Nasal decolonization with mupirocin has been a common strategy for the prevention of surgical site infections (SSIs) and recurrent skin and soft tissue infections due to Staphylococcus aureus (SA). We recently noted an increase in SSIs due to SA, including a case of post-operative mupirocin-resistant methicillin-resistant SA (MRSA) infection despite attempted preoperative decolonization with mupirocin. We therefore evaluated the mupirocin susceptibility of SA at our hospital to determine the optimal regimen for decolonization. SA isolates were recovered from clinical and screening samples received in the microbiology laboratory. Mupirocin susceptibility was determined using e-tests and isolates were categorized as susceptible or resistant using a breakpoint MIC value of 4mcg/ml. 223 unique SA isolates from 218 patients were tested. Twenty-four SA isolates (10.8%) were resistant to mupirocin (20 MRSA and 4 methicillin-sensitive SA [MSSA]). MRSA strains were more likely to be resistant to mupirocin than MSSA strains (22.5% vs 3.0%, P < .001). The emergence of drug resistance makes the policy of decolonization with nasal mupirocin a suboptimal strategy for the prevention of MRSA infections. In our study, less than 80% of MRSA strains were mupirocin susceptible. In patients colonized with MRSA at high risk for infection (eg, total joint replacement), other regimens such as intranasal povidone iodine may be preferable to mupirocin for patient decolonization.

The Utility of Discharge Antibiotics in Pediatric Perforated Appendicitis Without Leukocytosis.

Optimal management of pediatric perforated appendicitis remains a topic of active investigation. Our institutional clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) were modified to discontinue antibiotics on discharge for patients with normal white blood cell count (WBC) without left shift. We hypothesized that patients would receive fewer antibiotics without increased complications. Patients <18y old with perforated appendicitis who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy between November 1, 2016 and May 31, 2021 at a tertiary care children's hospital were included. Primary outcome was adverse events: postdischarge surgical site infection (SSI), 30-day emergency department (ED) visits, or readmissions. Outcomes were compared before and after CPG modification. Multivariable regression was performed to identify factors associated with SSI. There were 113 patients pre- and 97 patients post-CPG modification. 23.1% of patients in the pre-cohort had an elevated discharge WBC or left shift compared to 18.9% of patients in the post-cohort (P=0.48). Significantly fewer patients were prescribed antibiotics on discharge in the post-cohort (70.8% pre versus 14.4% post, P<0.0001) and for fewer days (2 pre versus 0 post, P<0.0001). Total antibiotic days decreased significantly (6.1 pre versus 4.6 post, P<0.0001). There was an increase in postdischarge SSIs on univariate analysis (1.8% pre versus 9.3% post, P=0.03), ED visits (9.7% pre versus 19.6% post, P=0.04), and readmissions (5.3% pre versus 11.3% post, P=0.13). On multivariable analysis, being in the post-cohort was not significantly associated with post-discharge SSIs after adjusting for sex, symptom duration, initial WBC, and discharge antibiotic duration (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.04-1.4, P=0.11). Modification of a pediatric perforated appendicitis clinical practice guideline to discontinue antibiotics on discharge with a normal WBC without left shift was effective in decreasing antibiotic duration. This was associated with an increase in SSIs on univariate analysis, which did not persist on multivariable analysis and requires further investigation.

A Single-Centre Retrospective Study on the Impact of Reducing Surgical Prophylaxis from 48 Hours to 24 Hours in Cardiothoracic Surgery

Introduction: In November 2016, surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) guidelines for cardiothoracic surgeries at the authors’ centre were updated. SAP was reduced from 48 to 24 hours, and dual cover with vancomycin and cefazolin instead of vancomycin monotherapy was recommended for patients colonised with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. This study was conducted to review compliance to the updated guidelines, and compare the incidence of surgical site infections (SSI). Methods: A list of patients undergoing sternotomy in National Heart Centre, Singapore, from March 2016 to February 2019 was extracted from the hospital’s electronic database; every fourth patient was included in the analysis. The patients were divided into three groups: Group 1 (before guideline revision, March–October 2016), Group 2 (post-guideline implementation, July 2017–May 2018), and Group 3 (July 2018–February 2019). Compliance to guidelines, incidence, and epidemiology of SSIs within 90 days of surgery were evaluated. Results: 509 patients (Group 1: 149; Group 2: 184; Group 3: 176) were included. There was appropriate selection and timely administration of SAP across all three groups. Post-guideline implementation, the proportion of patients on SAP for &gt;24 hours decreased from 149 (100%) in Group 1 to 55 (29.9%), and 67 (38.1%) in Group 2 and 3, respectively (p &lt;0.001). Despite the reduction in SAP duration, SSI rates remained stable: 4.7%, 3.3%, and 5.1% in Group 1, 2, and 3, respectively (p=0.662). Conclusion: Guideline implementation significantly reduced SAP duration in the authors’ cardiothoracic surgeries, with no increase in SSIs. Continual feedback to ensure sustained compliance may be necessary.

Twenty-year comparison of delabeling pediatric patients with penicillin allergy with and without prior skin testing

Approximately 10% of the US population, including at least 5 million children, report a penicillin allergy though more than 90% of those individuals are found to have no allergy after evaluation.1,2 Less than 1% of patients with penicillin allergy have immunoglobulin (Ig)E-mediated reactions and approximately 80% of those patients will lose their sensitivity after 10 years.3 Inferior clinical outcomes, such as 50% increase in surgical site infections, prolonged hospitalization, use of less efficacious, more broad-spectrum antibiotics, and increased mortality, are associated with penicillin avoidance in adults with penicillin allergy.

43. Impact of a Five-Year Intervention of an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program on the Optimal Antibiotic Prophylaxis Selection in Surgery in a Hospital without Restrictions on Antibiotics Prescription in Costa Rica

BackgroundIn a private hospital without restrictions on antibiotic prescription, the success of an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP) depends mainly on prospective feedback and education. Previously, the ASP of this hospital (PROA-HCB) managed to achieve a positive impact on the antibiotic prophylaxis in cesarean delivery. The purpose of this study is to characterize the impact after implementing the PROA-HCB on the optimal prophylaxis selection of all the procedures included in the clinical guideline for surgical antibiotic prophylaxis in adult patients.MethodsA retrospective observational study that compares the selection, duration, antibiotic consumption, bacterial resistance profiles and patient’s safety outcomes regarding antibiotic use for all surgical prophylaxis prescription over six months for the periods before (pre-ASP) and after a five-year intervention of PROA-HCB (post-ASP).ResultsAfter a five-year intervention, the percentage of optimal selection of antibiotic prophylaxis in Surgery was 21.0% (N=1598) in the pre-ASP period and 80.0% (N=841) in the post-ASP period (59% absolute improvement, p < 0.001). Percentage of optimal duration was 69,1% (N=1598) in the pre-ASP period and 78.0% (N=841) in the post-ASP period (8.9% absolute improvement, p < 0.001). Mean ceftriaxone utilization was 217.7 defined daily doses (DDD) per 1,000 patient days DDD for the pre-ASP period and 139.8 DDD per 1,000 patient days for the ASP period (35.8% decrease; p = 0.019). Mean cefazolin utilization was 14.9 DDD per 1,000 patient days for the pre-ASP period and 153.3 DDD per 1,000 patient days for the ASP period (928.6% increase; p = 0.021). Regarding percentage of bacterial resistance, there was detected an improvement in some isolates like Escherichia coli with a decrease of ESBL detection (11% decrease; p = 0.007). In addition, no serious adverse reactions or an increase in surgical site infections were detected after the intervention.ConclusionThe implementation of an ASP in the surgical ward showed an overall positive impact on selection and duration of antibiotic prophylaxis. Furthermore, this intervention could have had a positive impact on antimicrobial resistance and at the same time had no negative effects on the patients.Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Preoperative Vedolizumab and Postoperative Complications in Patients with IBD.

The effect of vedolizumab on postoperative outcomes in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains unclear. We aimed to determine the relation between preoperative vedolizumab and early postoperative complications in patients with IBD undergoing abdominal surgery. A search of databases and abstracts from gastroenterology conferences was performed. Primary outcomes included overall and infectious postoperative complication rates as well as surgical site infections. Studies that compared Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis, or patients with IBD-undefined with preoperative vedolizumab treatment undergoing abdominal surgery with controls with preoperative antitumor necrosis factor-α (anti-TNF-α) treatment or no preoperative biologic treatment were included. A meta-analysis was completed using the Mantel-Haenszel and DerSimonian and Laird models. Six studies totaling 1201 patients were included; 281 patients were treated preoperatively with vedolizumab, 327 patients were treated preoperatively with anti-TNF-α agents, and 593 patients were not treated preoperatively with any biologics. There was no significant difference in overall complications (odds ratio [OR] 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.48-2.24, P = 0.92, I2 =77%) between the vedolizumab and no-biologic groups. There also was no significant difference in infectious complications (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.37-2.69, P = 1.00, I2 = 78%), which persisted after sensitivity analysis (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.31-1.60, P = 0.41, I2 = 46%). Furthermore, there was no significant difference in overall complications (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.24-2.46, P = 0.66, I2 = 85%) and infectious complications (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.20-3.94, P = 0.87, I2 = 86%) between the vedolizumab and anti-TNF-α groups. After sensitivity analysis, differences in overall and infectious complications remained insignificant (OR 0.54 and 0.50, 95% CI 0.24-1.17 and 0.22-1.15, P = 0.12 and 0.10, I2 = 39% and 18%, respectively). Vedolizumab was also not associated with a significant increase in surgical site infections compared with the no-biologic (OR 1.45, 95% CI 0.33-6.32, P = 0.62, I2 = 75%) and anti-TNF (OR 1.30, 95% CI 0.22-7.60, P = 0.77, I2 = 81%) groups. Preoperative treatment with vedolizumab in patients with IBD undergoing abdominal surgery is not associated with increases in overall or infectious postoperative complications compared with preoperative anti-TNF-α treatment and no preoperative biologic treatment. Large, prospective studies are needed to further assess the impact of preoperative vedolizumab treatment on postoperative complications, particularly with respect to IBD subtype.

Use of Prophylactic Dressing on Cesarean Patients to Reduce Surgical Site Infection

Cesarean bundles have been implemented to reduce surgical site infections (SSIs); the bundles include standardization of skin preparation, preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis, and closure. However, one Georgia hospital experienced an increase in SSIs even with the implementation of these standard practices, noting an increase in SSIs patients who had undergone cesareans, from a baseline of 2% in fiscal year (FY) 2018 to 4.5% in the first 2 quarters of FY2019. Evaluation of the literature led to a plan to reduce the occurrence of SSIs to 2% or less in FY2020. This is evidence-based practice quality improvement implementation that is based on literature published; therefore, it does not require Institutional Review Board approval. Approval was given by hospital leadership, infection control, and the obstetric department. Risk factors were used to guide future efforts in reducing the incidence of SSIs in cesarean patients. Identification of patients with the greatest risk of developing SSI immediately after birth and the selection of the right dressing can affect the number of SSIs and improve outcomes for cesarean patients. A patient would receive either a silver-infused dressing or a negative pressure wound treatment (NPWT) dressing, depending on risk factors that placed them at increased risk for infection, not on provider preference. A postoperative-dressing-decision algorithm was developed by a multidisciplinary team to reflect the process and to guide nursing in determining the appropriate dressing for the patient based on risk factors. The goal of this project was decrease SSIs to 2% or less. A postoperative-dressing-decision algorithm was implemented. After implementation, SSI rates dropped from an average of 4.5 per month to 0 in the pilot period. SSIs can be reported for up to 30 days after the surgical procedure and will continued to be monitoring for occurrence. Monitoring will be ongoing, the identification of future infections will continue to be evaluated for root causes, and interventions will be aimed at eliminating cesarean infections. The plan–do–study–act cycle will continue to be implemented and promote the organization’s goal of zero cesarean SSIs.

Increase in surgical site infections caused by gram-negative bacteria in warmer temperatures: Results from a retrospective observational study.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) occur more frequently during periods of warmer temperatures. We aimed to investigate for which pathogens this association is particularly strong. A retrospective observational study was conducted. Data from the SSI-module of the German nosocomial infection surveillance system between 2000 and 2016 were linked with data from the German Meteorological Service. Patient- and procedure-related data were associated with monthly aggregated meteorological data. Due to high correlation with other meteorological parameters, we focused on the outside temperature. Adjusted odds ratios were calculated for SSI rates relating to temperature. SSIs were stratified by pathogen. A P value of <.05 was considered significant. Altogether, 2,004,793 procedures resulting in 32,118 SSIs were included. Generally, warmer temperatures were associated with a higher SSI risk, especially for SSIs with gram-negative pathogens. This association was particularly prominent for Acinetobacter spp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and certain Enterobacteriaceae. Per additional 1°C, we observed a 6% increase in the SSI risk for Acinetobacter spp and a 4% increase for Enterobacter spp. Superficial SSIs with Acinetobacter spp were 10 times more likely to occur when comparing surgeries in months with mean temperatures of ≥20°C to mean temperatures of <5°C. Higher temperatures were associated with increased SSI rates caused by gram-negative bacteria. Future SSI prevention measures should consider this aspect. Underlying shifts in microbiome composition due to climate factors should be included in further analyses. Given the expected rise of global temperatures until the end of the century, this topic has relevance from multiple perspectives.

Increase in Surgical Site Infections Caused by Gram-Negative Pathogens in Warmer Weathers Data From More Than 2 Million Surgeries

Background: Various studies have linked periods of warmer temperatures to an increased occurrence of surgical site infections (SSIs) and healthcare-associated infections in general. In an observational study, we sought to determine the pathogens for which this association was especially strong. Method: Patient- and procedure-related data of the SSI-module of the German nosocomial infection surveillance system were linked with monthly aggregated meteorological data from the German Meteorological Service for a period from 2000 to 2016. Due to high correlation with other meteorological parameters, analyses were executed focusing on the outside ambient temperature. Temperature was regarded as both a continuous variable and a categorical variable with different temperature intervals (5°C steps ranging from &lt;5°C to ≥20°C). Through multivariable logistic regression analysis, adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated for SSI rates relating to temperature. SSIs were stratified by pathogen and depth of infiltration. Result: Altogether, 2,004,793 procedures, conducted in 1,455 German surgical departments and resulting in 32,118 SSIs, were included. A general association of warmer mean temperatures in the month of surgery with an increased SSI-risk was observed, particularly for SSIs caused by gram-negative pathogens. Stratification by pathogen revealed that the association was especially prominent for Acinetobacter spp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and certain Enterobacteriaceae. Per additional 1°C, we observed a 6% increase in the risk for SSIs caused by Acinetobacter spp (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.04–1.09), and a 4% increase in the risk for SSIs caused by Enterobacter spp (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.03–1.05). Among gram-positive pathogens, temperature-association was strongest for Staphylococcus aureus. Superficial SSIs showed a higher temperature-association than deeper SSIs. The risk for superficial SSIs with Acinetobacter spp significantly increased &gt;10-fold after surgeries conducted in months with a mean temperature of ≥20°C in reference to &lt;5°C. For Pseudomonas aeruginosa, we observed a &gt;2-fold statistically significant increase in the risk for superficial SSIs, when comparing the same temperature categories (≥20°C vs &lt;5°C). Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that higher temperatures were associated with increased SSI-rates caused by gram-negative bacteria. As a consequence, future SSI-prevention measures should place a higher emphasis on the parameter season as part of a more tailormade, personalized approach at infection prevention. For instance, it may be conceivable to seasonally adjust decolonizing regimes and certain prophylaxes. Underlying shifts in microbiome composition due to meteorological factors should be considered in further analyses. Given the expected rise of global temperatures until the end of the century, the topic gains relevance from multiple perspectives.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None