The Neurohospitalist
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The Neurohospitalist · Jul 2018
Discontinuation of Postoperative Prophylactic Antibiotics After Noninstrumented Spinal Surgery: Results of a Quality Improvement Project.
Numerous medical society guidelines recommend discontinuation of antibiotics at a maximum of 24 hours after noninstrumented spinal surgery, even when a drain is left in place. As a result of these recommendations, our institution's Neurosurgery Quality Improvement Committee decided to stop administering prolonged prophylactic systemic antibiotics (PPSAs) to patients with drains after noninstrumented spinal surgery. ⋯ After discontinuing PPSAs for patients with noninstrumented spinal procedures, as is recommended for quality improvement, we saw a nonsignificant increase in our rate of SSIs. Further monitoring of this population is warranted.