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.