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INFECTION PREVENTION
Sheldon Sones, RPh, FASCP
Are You an Ace at Antibiotic Administration?
Inside the new guidelines for antimicrobial prophylaxis in surgery.
I
f you haven't already, I
suggest you download
the new clinical guidelines for antimicrobial prophylaxis in surgery
(www.ajhp.org/content/70/3/
195.full). In handy chart
form, the evidence-based
guidelines provide recommendations for timing as
well as antibiotic type and
dosage for each surgery
type. Here are 9 practical
pearls to keep in mind as
you implement the new
guidelines.
ADMINISTRATION
ROUTE
For safety, consider
pre-mixed products
or those that facilitate closed system
dilution.
Administer antibiotics
within 60 minutes
before surgical incision.
That is the time frame that best ensures adequate tissue and serum concentrations during the period of potential contamination.
1
Routine use of vancomycin prophylaxis is not recommended for
any procedure. Use this drug only in patients with known MRSA
colonization or at high risk for MRSA colonization (if it's within your
facility policy to accept these patients).
2
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O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | J U N E 2013
