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Practices and Attitudes of Surgeons Toward the Prevention of Surgical Site Infections: A Provincial Survey in Alberta, Canada

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Philip J. B. Davis
Affiliation:
Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Donald Spady
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Chris de Gara
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Sarah E. D. Forgie*
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
*
Room 8213, Aberhart Centre, 11402 University Avenue, Edmonton, AB, TGG 2J3 (sarahforgie@cha.ab.ca)

Abstract

We surveyed 589 surgeons in Alberta, Canada, about the prevention of surgical site infections and compared their practices to the recommendations of evidence-based guidelines. Of the 247 (42%) who responded, most (156 [63%]) were not in compliance with guideline recommendations for preoperative bathing, hair removal, antimicrobial prophylaxis, or intraoperative skin preparation (although 91 [37%] state they are following guidelines).

Type
Concise Communications
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2008

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