Mr. Gilson Fangaria1, Mr. Philip Agwaiasi, Mr. Graham Tasso, Mrs. Caroline vanGemert
1Vila Central Hospital, Port Vila, Vanuatu
Biography:
Gilson Fangaria, Registered Nurse; Infection prevention & control program officer. Graduated with: Diploma in Nursing, Pacific Adventist University (PAU), Atoifi campus. Graduate Certificate in Public Health, Fiji National University (FNU). Involve in research in 2012: TB questions, East Kwaio answers: community-based participatory research in a remote area of Solomon Islands. https://www.rrh.org.au/journal/article/2139
Passion: Pediatric Nursing
Abstract:
Background
Surgical site infections (SSI’s) following caesarean sections are significant concern in healthcare. SSIs are common in low- and middle-income countries, estimated one-in-ten people undergoing surgery developing SSI resulting in morbidity, extended hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, or mortality. Study aims to describe SSIs following caesarean section among patients at Vila Central Hospital (VCH) enhancing, understanding of SSI incidence, associated risk factors, allow targeted prevention efforts and improved patient outcomes.
Methods
Prospective descriptive method used, involving analysis patients records at VCH from August 2022 to August 2023. Data of c-section cases were collected using SPC- standardized surveillance data tools. SSI is an infection that occurs in the area where surgical procedure was performed. Data collected included patient demographics, comorbidities occurrence of SSI, timing of SSI and details of antibiotic prophylaxis. Data entered in excel spread sheet and analyzed. SSI incidence calculated as the proportion of all caesarean section cases resulting in SSI.
Results
270 caesarean sections in the study, total of 31 SSI reported (SSI incidence rate of 11.5%). Among cases, 65% were obese, 16% overweight. Most SSI cases occurred after 8 days, in the first week of post operative. prophylaxis treatment, 95% comply to antibiotic treatment guideline, 5% not as per guideline.
Conclusion
This descriptive study provides a comprehensive profile of SSIs following C-sections at VCH over one year period. Findings underscore importance of targeted prevention efforts, enhancing patient care practices. It does not establish casual relationships, it served as a foundation for future research and quality improvement efforts.