Surgical Safety Quality Measures
Adequate levels of antibiotic medication must
be maintained in the body during and immediately after high-risk (for infection)
surgeries to prevent surgical site infection. However, antibiotics given to
prevent infection should be discontinued after 24 hours according to an advisory
statement in The American
Journal of Surgery (April, 2005; 189(4): 395-404).
If antibiotics are continued past 24 hours, normal, healthy bacteria in the
body may be destroyed, which can lead to the over-growth of unhealthy microorganisms
(harmful bacteria and yeast) and super infection (a new infection that may
not respond to antibiotics). However, antibiotics may need to be continued
for certain individuals, such as those with weakened immune systems or with
signs of existing infection.
66 percent of
St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center's surgical patients had preventive antibiotics
discontinued within 24 hours after surgery in
2006.