Researchers presented data at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons revealing a new anti-infection protocol that includes using alcohol foam in preprep, multiple drains for obese patients and intrawound vancomycin powder nearly eliminated infections in posterior cervical spine operations, according to a Medscape Medical News report.
Reports suggest that with standard anti-infection protocol, 1-5 percent of cervical surgery patients develop infections. The researchers' data confirmed this statistic, with 1.86 percent of their control group, which had standard anti-infection procedures, contracting infections. In contrast, only one patient in the group that had alcohol foam and multiple drains developed infections. No patients in the vancomycin powder group had an infection. However, there is no statistical significance between the alcohol foam/multiple drain group and the vancomycin powder group.
Read the Medscape Medical News report on the new spinal surgery protocol.
Read more coverage on infection control:
- Would Your Facility Pass an Infection Control Survey?
- Infection Control Checklist Reduces CLABSIs, Mortality
- Chlorhexidine Gluconate Baths More Effective at Preventing Infection Than Soap and Water
Reports suggest that with standard anti-infection protocol, 1-5 percent of cervical surgery patients develop infections. The researchers' data confirmed this statistic, with 1.86 percent of their control group, which had standard anti-infection procedures, contracting infections. In contrast, only one patient in the group that had alcohol foam and multiple drains developed infections. No patients in the vancomycin powder group had an infection. However, there is no statistical significance between the alcohol foam/multiple drain group and the vancomycin powder group.
Read the Medscape Medical News report on the new spinal surgery protocol.
Read more coverage on infection control:
- Would Your Facility Pass an Infection Control Survey?
- Infection Control Checklist Reduces CLABSIs, Mortality
- Chlorhexidine Gluconate Baths More Effective at Preventing Infection Than Soap and Water
