Practice changes to improve delivery of surgical antibiotic prophylaxis

Timely administration of appropriate antibiotics preoperatively can decrease the incidence of surgical site infection. We evaluated compliance with quality indicators in the delivery of antimicrobial surgical prophylaxis at The Ottawa Hospital and assessed the impact of a change to the hospital's Surgical Prophylaxis Policy. An audit in 2002 revealed improvement was necessary in the timing of preoperative doses, dosing for patients with a high body mass index, and intra-operative redosing. As a result, a multidisciplinary group was formed and a new surgical prophylaxis policy was approved. The policy included administration of preoperative doses by the anesthesiologist, and an automatic substitution for higher doses of antibiotics for select patients. This practice change resulted in significant improvements to the preoperative timing and dosing in subsequent audits. A mechanism to address intra-operative redosing will be implemented.