An assessment of the extent of rational use of antibiotics in surgical prophylaxis at Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya

Abstract

To evaluate the rationale for the use of antibiotics in surgical prophylaxis at Kenyatta National Hospital. Antimicrobial prophylaxis is usually carried out before surgical procedures to prevent occurrence of surgical site infections after surgery. Surgical site infections occur in these cases where there is ineffective prophylaxis and can lead to increased morbidity, mortality. They also increase patients’ hospital stay and hospitalisation costs. International guidelines exist for antimicrobial prophylaxis for patients undergoing surgery e there are few studies that have been done on antimicrobial prophylaxis in surgery and the degree to which this affects patients is not known