Prevention of Surgical Site Infections in Saudi Hospitals Based on the International Guidelines
Keywords:
Surgical Site Infections, Interventions, Saudi Hospitals, International Guidelines, Patient Safety.Abstract
Introduction:
Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) remain a significant concern in healthcare, posing serious risks to patient safety and increasing healthcare costs. . In Saudi Arabia, the incidence of SSIs has been reported to be around 2-5%, varying by surgical procedure and hospital settings. This review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of various interventions for the prevention of SSIs in the Saudi healthcare context.
Methods:
In the initial phase of our systematic review, we conducted a thorough search of electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library, up to September 2023, using carefully selected search terms to identify relevant literature on interventions for preventing Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) in Saudi hospitals. Inclusion criteria encompassed studies that investigated SSI prevention interventions aligned with international guidelines, while exclusion criteria eliminated studies unrelated to SSI prevention in Saudi hospitals, theoretical studies without empirical data, editorials, commentaries, and reviews, ensuring a rigorous and focused study selection process.
Results:
The systematic review included six diverse studies focused on interventions for preventing Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) in Saudi hospitals, highlighting variations in sample size, intervention types, and effectiveness. Sample sizes ranged from 150 to 1,930 patients, reflecting the diverse healthcare settings in which SSI prevention strategies were implemented. Interventions, such as surgical hand antisepsis protocols, antimicrobial prophylaxis optimization, and controlled operating room ventilation, demonstrated varying degrees of effectiveness, with risk differences ranging from 4% to 16% and percentage reductions ranging from 5% to 20% across the studies. These variations underscored the context-specific nature of SSI prevention.
Conclusions:
This systematic review examines interventions for preventing Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) in Saudi hospitals, revealing varying effectiveness among interventions and emphasizing the need for context-specific approaches guided by international guidelines. The findings offer valuable insights for healthcare practitioners and policymakers in Saudi Arabia, providing a foundation for evidence-based strategies to enhance patient safety and reduce SSIs.
