A recent study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has highlighted alarmingly high rates of Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) in three major hospitals in India, surpassing figures reported in many high-income countries. The study, involving 3,020 patients across Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre (JPNATC), Kasturba Hospital (KMC) in Manipal, and Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) in Mumbai, revealed an overall SSI incidence of 5.2%.
Key Findings
- High-Risk Procedures: Debridement surgeries, including amputation, open reduction internal fixation (ORIF), and closed reduction internal fixation (CRIF), showed the highest SSI rate at 54.2%.
- Post-Discharge Detection: Post-discharge surveillance identified 66% of SSI cases, underscoring its importance in comprehensive infection control.
- Risk Factors: Clean-contaminated wound classifications and surgeries lasting over 120 minutes were significantly associated with higher SSI rates.
- Comparison to Global Rates: SSI rates in the study exceeded those reported in high-income countries (1.2–5.2%) and were comparable to other low- and middle-income nations, such as Iran (17.4%), Egypt (17%), and Pakistan (7.3%).
Surveillance and Impact
The study is India’s first multicentric effort to systematically monitor SSIs, tracking patients for six months post-surgery. Researchers emphasized the lack of a national surveillance system for SSIs, particularly for cases that develop after hospital discharge.
Patients who developed SSIs experienced prolonged hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, and higher morbidity. Combination surgeries were found to elevate SSI risks, with post-discharge surveillance aiding in diagnosing 50% of these cases.
Need for Improved Monitoring
As reported by economictimes, The study’s findings underscore the urgent need for standardized SSI surveillance systems in India, especially for post-discharge cases. Researchers noted the disparity in SSI rates within the country, citing previous studies from Gujarat (8.95%) and Dehradun (5%), further highlighting the need for consistent data collection.
By addressing these gaps, healthcare institutions can enhance infection control measures and improve patient outcomes, reducing the significant burden posed by SSIs.