Assessment of surgical antibiotic prophylaxis practices in a Tunisian surgical hospital
1
Hygiene, Habib Bourguiba Hospital Sfax,Tunisia, Sfax, Tunisia
2
Community and preventive medicine, Faculty of medicine, Sfax, Tunisia
3
Community and preventive medicine, Hedi Chaker University Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) is an essential preventive strategy aimed at reducing the risk of surgical site infections. Its effectiveness depends on strict adherence to international recommendations. The objective of our study was to assess adherence to SAP in surgical departments at a University Hospital in Tunisia, with the French Society of Anesthesia and Intensive Care (SFAR) recommendations.
METHODS:
We conducted a clinical audit at Habib-Bourguiba University Hospital during June–July 2025, including patients who underwent surgery. For each patient, we assessed whether SAP was indicated. When indicated, we evaluated compliance across several dimensions: SAP administration, antibiotic choice, timing of SAP administration relative to the incision, prescribed dosage, and SAP duration.
RESULTS:
We included 133 patients who underwent surgery in the hospital's surgical departments, with a sex ratio equal to 1.55. Their median age was 51years(Interquartile range (IQR)= [31.5-65]). Of the 133 surgical interventions performed, 49.6% (n =66) were classified as clean-contaminated according to Altemeier’s classification. In addition, 78.2% (n = 104) of the procedures were scheduled, and 21.8% (n = 35) involved the implantation of prosthetic material. SAP was indicated and administered in 68.4% of cases (n = 91), while it was indicated but not administered in 11.3% of cases (n = 15). The choice of antibiotic for SAP was aligned with SFAR recommendations in 84.2% of cases (n = 77). Regarding the timing of administration relative to the incision, it was compliant with SFAR recommendations in 88.9% (n = 88). In comparison, the prescribed antibiotic dosage and duration were appropriate in 57% of cases (n = 49) and 67% of cases (n = 59), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS:
Our study showed that although adherence to SFAR recommendations was generally adequate, inconsistencies in antibiotic dosage and SAP duration indicate that preventive measures should be reinforced, including staff training and standardized protocols
Surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) is an essential preventive strategy aimed at reducing the risk of surgical site infections. Its effectiveness depends on strict adherence to international recommendations. The objective of our study was to assess adherence to SAP in surgical departments at a University Hospital in Tunisia, with the French Society of Anesthesia and Intensive Care (SFAR) recommendations.
METHODS:
We conducted a clinical audit at Habib-Bourguiba University Hospital during June–July 2025, including patients who underwent surgery. For each patient, we assessed whether SAP was indicated. When indicated, we evaluated compliance across several dimensions: SAP administration, antibiotic choice, timing of SAP administration relative to the incision, prescribed dosage, and SAP duration.
RESULTS:
We included 133 patients who underwent surgery in the hospital's surgical departments, with a sex ratio equal to 1.55. Their median age was 51years(Interquartile range (IQR)= [31.5-65]). Of the 133 surgical interventions performed, 49.6% (n =66) were classified as clean-contaminated according to Altemeier’s classification. In addition, 78.2% (n = 104) of the procedures were scheduled, and 21.8% (n = 35) involved the implantation of prosthetic material. SAP was indicated and administered in 68.4% of cases (n = 91), while it was indicated but not administered in 11.3% of cases (n = 15). The choice of antibiotic for SAP was aligned with SFAR recommendations in 84.2% of cases (n = 77). Regarding the timing of administration relative to the incision, it was compliant with SFAR recommendations in 88.9% (n = 88). In comparison, the prescribed antibiotic dosage and duration were appropriate in 57% of cases (n = 49) and 67% of cases (n = 59), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS:
Our study showed that although adherence to SFAR recommendations was generally adequate, inconsistencies in antibiotic dosage and SAP duration indicate that preventive measures should be reinforced, including staff training and standardized protocols
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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