Utah Hospital Compliance - Summary

While many hospitals around the country reported that they followed the recommended surgical infection prevention measures for a high proportion of patients, Consumers Union found that a significant number of hospitals reported low levels of compliance. High compliance is defined as 95% or greater and Low compliance as 79% or lower. Middle compliance includes all in-between the high and low compliance levels.

Surgery Patients Who Were Given an Antibiotic Within One Hour Before Surgery to Help Prevent Infection

Giving patients antibiotics right before surgery helps to boost the patient's ability to fight off contamination during surgery that could lead to infection. Studies show that patients given antibiotics either more than one hour before or after the first surgical incision is made experience higher rates of infection compared to those who are given antibiotics within one hour before surgery begins.

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Surgery Patients Who Were Given the Right Kind of Antibiotic to Help Prevent Infection

Choosing the appropriate antibiotic is critical because it must be effective in preventing infections caused by bacteria likely to be present around the surgical site. Antibiotic selection therefore varies depending on the type of surgery. Guidelines for appropriate antibiotic selection have been developed by the CDC.

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Surgery Patients Whose Preventative Antibiotics were Stopped Within 24 hours After Surgery

Continuing antibiotics beyond 24 hours after the end of surgery does not offer any additional protection when it comes to preventing infections. But the prolonged use of antibiotics can be associated with other complications and can encourage antibiotic resistance.

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