Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 23, 2026
Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses
Published on: August 30, 2018
Prevalence of Recent Antimicrobial Exposure among Elective Surgical Patients
Christopher A Guidry1, Robert G Sawyer1,2
11 Department of Surgery, The University of Virginia Health System , Charlottesville, Virginia.
Background:
The annual prevalence of antimicrobial exposure is high in the outpatient setting and should be a common exposure for surgical patients. Antimicrobials have negative side effects and may be associated with poor outcomes. Logically, one would expect surgical patients to be particularly susceptible to any negative effects of recent antimicrobial exposure. Despite these observations, however, the prevalence of recent antimicrobial exposure among surgical patients remains undefined. The purpose of this study is to define the prevalence of antimicrobial exposure in patients undergoing elective surgical procedures.
Methods:
Patients presenting for elective operations between August 4, 2015 and August 3, 2016 at our institution were asked prospectively about any antimicrobial exposure in the previous three months. Answers were recorded as either Yes, No, or Unsure. Patients were grouped according to age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, primary operative service, and post-operative destination. Descriptive statistics were employed using simple percentages and chi-square analysis when appropriate. Cochrane-Armitage test was used to evaluate temporal trends.
Results:
There were 21,473 elective surgical procedures performed during the study period across 13 operative services. Answers were recorded for 91.2% cases. The overall prevalence of exposure during this period was 28.6%. Exposure varied with age, ASA score, and surgical specialty. Vascular and transplant operations had the highest prevalence of exposure while ophthalmology and pediatric orthopedic procedures had the lowest. Patients with recent antimicrobial exposure were less likely to be discharged home on the same day and more likely to be admitted to an intensive care or intermediate care unit than those who denied recent exposure.
Conclusion:
In this descriptive analysis, the prevalence of recent antimicrobial exposure is overall approximately 28.6% and is higher than anticipated. Further work is needed to determine to what extent, if any, recent antimicrobial exposure impacts post-operative outcomes.
Insights
Nearly 30% of surgical patients had recent antimicrobial exposure, potentially impacting outcomes. This study defines this prevalence in elective surgery patients, highlighting variations across specialties and patient factors.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Surgical Outcomes
- Public Health
Background:
- Antimicrobial exposure is common in outpatient settings and may negatively affect surgical patients.
- The prevalence of recent antimicrobial exposure in surgical patients is currently undefined.
- Surgical patients may be particularly susceptible to adverse effects of antimicrobials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of antimicrobial exposure in patients undergoing elective surgery.
- To identify factors associated with antimicrobial exposure in this population.
Main Methods:
- Prospective data collection from 21,473 elective surgical procedures over one year.
- Patients reported antimicrobial exposure within the prior three months.
- Analysis included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and temporal trend evaluation.
Main Results:
- Overall prevalence of recent antimicrobial exposure was 28.6%.
- Exposure rates varied significantly by age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, and surgical specialty (highest in vascular/transplant, lowest in ophthalmology/pediatric orthopedics).
- Patients with exposure were less likely to be discharged same-day and more likely to require intensive care.
Conclusions:
- Approximately 28.6% of elective surgical patients report recent antimicrobial exposure, a higher-than-expected prevalence.
- Further research is necessary to elucidate the impact of this exposure on post-operative outcomes.
More Related Videos
05:32Povidone Iodine Rectal Preparation at Time of Prostate Needle Biopsy is a Simple and Reproducible Means to Reduce Risk of Procedural Infection
Published on: September 21, 2015
06:18A Novel Method to Determine the Longitudinal Antibacterial Activity of Drug-Eluting Materials
Published on: March 3, 2023
Related Concept Videos
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:23Hand hygiene
Hand washing...
01:26Healthcare Associated Infections I: Iatrogenic, Exogenic and Endogenic
HAIs significantly increase the cost of health care. Extended stays in healthcare institutions, increased disability, increased costs of medications, including specialized antibiotics, and prolonged recovery times add to the patient's expenses and the healthcare institution and funding bodies.
01:26Standard Precaution
Hand hygiene is the most crucial means to prevent the transmission of disease. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure or contact with...
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
01:25Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...