An Audit of Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Ibadan

Abstract

An audit of surgical antibiotic prophylaxis at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Ibadan between 2008 and 2011 was conducted to evaluate the level of compliance with standard practices. The study involved retrospective case note audit of surgical procedures performed during the period. A total number of 108 operations were audited. Wound (29.62%) and fracture (18.51%) repairs were the procedures most frequently performed respectively.

Majority of procedures (64.81%) were categorized as clean. Penicillin-streptomycin (59.25%), ciprofloxacin (14.81%), amoxicillin (12.96%) and oxytetracycline (9.25%) were the most prescribed antibiotic. Records of duration of procedures, fluid administration and anesthetic protocols were either lacking or poorly documented. There was substantial noncompliance with standard practices. Prolonged administration of antibiotics post-operatively without justification was the most frequent deviation from the guidelines. We recommend the implementation of regular audit of surgical antibiotic prophylaxis.

Keywords: Audit, surgical, antibiotic, prophylaxis.