Surgical site infections (SSI) constitute a significant health-economic and clinical challenge. The investigators conducted a cluster-randomized, cross-over study to compare the efficacy of plain soap and water (PSW), used ubiquitously across sub-Saharan Africa for surgical hand preparation, to alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR), with SSI rates as the main outcome measure. A total of 3317 patients undergoing clean and clean-contaminated surgery were included in the study and followed up for 30 days.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
3,317
Presence or absence of infection
Presence or absence of infection
Africa Inland Church Kijabe Hospital
Kijabe, Central, Kenya
Surgical Site Infection
255 (8.1%) patients developed SSIs. Rates for the two study arms were similar (8.3% for alcohol-based handrub versus 8.0% for plain soap and water; odds ratio, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.80 - 1.33).
Time frame: 30 days post-operatively
Cost of Hand Preparation Agent
Average weekly costs were estimated for the plain soap and water used each week in the operating room as well as for the procurement, preparation and dispensing of the alcohol-based handrub to enable a comparison between the two study arms.
Time frame: 30 days
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.