Abstract

Surgical site infections (SSI), the third most common health care–associated infection and often associated with prolonged hospitalizations, hospital readmission, transfer to an intensive care unit thus resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. The present study was done with the objective of identifying bacterial isolates causing surgical site infections and their antibiogram finally helping in developing an antibiotic policy. This study has been carried out in 335 samples collected from patients diagnosed with SSI from December 2022 to March 2024 in the Department of Microbiology, MES Medical College, Perinthalmanna. Bacterilogical profile of the aerobic isolates and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern were analyzed. Out of 335 samples received, 202 isolates were obtained. Out of the 335 samples received monomicrobial growth was observed in 179 samples and 42 samples showed polymicrobial growth. Out of the 202 isolates, 53% were gram positive cocci and 47% were gram negative bacilli. Among gram positive cocci the most predominant organism was Staphylococcus aureus. Among gram negative isolates Escherichia coli was the predominant one followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Key words: Antibiotic policy, Enterobacterales, Non fermenters, Staphylococcus, Surgical site infections