Orthopaedic Infection Audit of Theater Practices

Abstract

Prevention of infection remains one of the primary aims of the treatment in Orthopaedic surgery. The role of antibiotics in the treatment of Orthopaedic infections remains controversial. This study is the first step in evaluating the practice of sterilization and its efficacy ¡n an Orthopaedic theater of a teaching hospital. Specimens were collected from operating environment, ward environment, operating instruments, surgical gloves and infected wounds from the patients. Infective organisms were found on the most bizarre of the sites. Most interesting finding was the growth of Pseudomonas from the tip of sterilized drill bit and the same organism caused post-operative wound infection. Methicilin Resistant Staph. Aureus (MRSA) was less of a problem in this unit but gram negative organisms were found at a majority of places. We believe that drastic measures are urgently required to improve the situation if we have to reduce the incidence of infection in our patients. Both gram positive and gram negative bacteria need to be addressed to with the prophylactic antibiotics like third generation cephalosporins.