Researchers conducted an observational study of surgical patients at a U.S. tertiary public academic hospital from January 2008 to June 2009. They compared SSI rates when all three components of antimicrobial prophylaxis — timing, choice and duration — were followed, compared with rates when these components were not adhered to.
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The researchers found that the SSI rates did not differ significantly between these groups, suggesting that appropriate perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis may not be sufficient to reduce SSIs. Patients with an SSI were more likely to have a higher body mass index and to have diabetes than patients without an SSI.
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