Cardiac implantable devices: surveillance of surgical site infections and assessment of professional practices.

BACKGROUND: A programme for quality assurance and prevention of infection risk during implantation of cardiac medical devices (pacemakers and defibrillators) was set up in our hospital.

AIM: We sought to assess surgical site infection rate and compliance with infection-control practices (principally antibiotic prophylaxis).

METHODS: Surgical site infections associated with implanted medical devices were monitored in patients during a 6-month period and a 1-year follow-up. Professional practices concerning the use of prophylactic antibiotics in surgery were assessed.

RESULTS: The surgical site infection rate was 2.3%. Overall compliance was 45% for the use of antibiotic prophylaxis.

CONCLUSIONS: Optimal compliance with antibiotic prophylaxis was not reached in the present series, which demonstrated a surgical site infection rate of 2.3%. More effort must be made to achieve full compliance with preventive measures in the implantation of medical devices.