Heal, Clare, Lepper, Phoebe, and Banks, Jennifer (2017) Topical antibiotics to prevent surgical site infection after minor surgery in primary care. Dermatology Practical & Conceptual, 7 (3). pp. 16-20.

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Abstract

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) after minor surgery in primary care can compromise cosmetic outcomes, delay wound healing and increase costs. In addition to efficacy, adverse effects must be considered when considering antibiotic prophylaxis. There is no prior published literature regarding the proportion of general practitioners (GPs) who use topical antibiotics as SSI prophylaxis following minor surgery.

Objectives: To identify the proportion of GPs in a regional center in Queensland, Australia who apply topical antibiotics to wounds prevent SSIs after minor surgery.

Method: A database of 90 GPs was established, and they were invited to complete a questionnaire.

Results: The response rate was 62% (56/90). Topical antibiotics prophylaxis was reported as being used always or sometimes in routine practice by 18% (10/56) of participants after both skin lesion excision and repair of lacerations. In the context of high-risk situations, on the other hand, use was higher. They were more likely to be used in high-risk situations, most frequently in diabetic patients(41.0% [23/56]) and immunocompromised patients (46.5% [26/56]).

Conclusions: Evidence-based prescribing of antibiotics is vital. Topical antibiotic prophylaxis is often prescribed excessively after clean dermatological surgery, however, in our sample of GPs, only 18%used topical antibiotics always or sometimes in their practice.

Item ID:	49946
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	2160-9381
Keywords:	surgical site infection, skin cancer, topical antibiotics
Related URLs:	Publisher
Additional Information:	All research articles published in Dermatology Practical & Conceptual are freely and permanently accessible online. Dermatology Practical & Conceptual applies a Creative Commons Attribution License (CCAL) to all works we publish (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/). The authors retain the copyright for their published work
Date Deposited:	25 Aug 2017 04:42
FoR Codes:	42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4203 Health services and systems > 420319 Primary health care @ 70% 32 BIOMEDICAL AND CLINICAL SCIENCES > 3202 Clinical sciences > 320205 Dermatology @ 10% 32 BIOMEDICAL AND CLINICAL SCIENCES > 3202 Clinical sciences > 320226 Surgery @ 20%
SEO Codes:	92 HEALTH > 9204 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) > 920412 Preventive Medicine @ 50% 92 HEALTH > 9201 Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions) > 920118 Surgical Methods and Procedures @ 30% 92 HEALTH > 9201 Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions) > 920117 Skin and Related Disorders @ 20%
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