Mon Jan 13 01:55:40 UTC 2025: ## Indian Hospitals Show Higher Surgical Site Infection Rates Than High-Income Countries: Study
**NEW DELHI** – A new study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has revealed significantly higher surgical site infection (SSI) rates in three major Indian hospitals compared to many high-income countries. The multicentric study, the first of its kind in India, tracked 3,020 patients across Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre, Kasturba Hospital (Manipal), and Tata Memorial Hospital (Mumbai) for six months post-surgery.
The study found an overall SSI incidence rate of 5.2%, considerably higher than the 1.2% to 5.2% typically reported in high-income nations. The highest SSI rate, 54.2%, was observed in debridement surgeries (including amputation and internal fixation procedures). Cleanliness of the wound and surgeries exceeding two hours were identified as significant risk factors.
Researchers noted that post-discharge surveillance was crucial, detecting 66% of all SSI cases. The study also highlighted the increased risk associated with combination surgeries. While the rate was lower than some other reported Indian studies (e.g., 8.95% in Gujarat), it was higher than rates observed in Dehradun (5%), Iran (17.4%), Egypt (17%), and Pakistan (7.3%).
The increased SSI rates resulted in longer hospital stays and added healthcare costs. The study emphasizes the lack of a comprehensive SSI surveillance system in India, particularly regarding post-discharge infections, and advocates for improved infection control practices to reduce the significant burden of SSIs.
First Piper 