Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is the most commonly reported nosocomial infection. Surgical site infections are responsible for increase in cost, morbidity, and mortality related to surgical operations.  Surveillance with information feedback to surgeons and other medical staff has been shown to be an important element in the overall strategy to reduce the numbers of Surgical site infections (SSI). This study aims to study the prevalence of SSI in the Department of Surgery, Andhra medical college, Visakhapatnam

Aims and objectives of the study: To determine the incidence and types of surgical site infections (SSIs) following abdominal surgeries

Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was undertaken on patients admitted to general surgery units at the, Department of General Surgery, Andhra medical college, King George Hospital, Visakhapatnam. The study period in this super specialty teaching institution was one year. A total of 553elective surgical patients and 314 emergency surgical patients were included in the study.

Results: The present study revealed 10.5% prevalence of SSI in department of general surgery, Andhra medical college. Vishakapatnam. Among the 3 types, superficial incision SSI was most prevalent followed by deep incisional SSI and finally by organ/space SSI. The surgical procedure most commonly associated with SSI was exploratory laparotomy. An alarming 19.42% of SSI was associated with emergency surgeries as compared to 7.05% of elective surgeries.

Conclusion: The consequences of SSIs greatly impact patients and the healthcare systems. Prevention of SSI requires a multifaceted approach targeting pre-, intra-, and postoperative factors. It is imperative that facilities have open-minded management teams, regulatory agencies and medical associations that want to provide the foundation required to generate a culture of patient safety in our health care systems

Keywords: General surgery, Nosocomial infection, SSI, Surgical site infection, Surgery.

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Dr A.Kalyani

Associate Professor, Department of General surgery, King George Hospital, Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam, India