Surveillance of surgical site infections among caesarean section in VINCat hospitals: Results from 2008 to 2022

Abstract

Background: The VINCat programme focuses on monitoring surgical site infections (SSI) in caesarean sections (CS) performed across affiliated hospitals.

Methods: The study included CS performed from 2008 to 2022, with a follow-up of 30 days after the intervention. The analysis of cumulative incidence rate of SSI was stratified into three 5-year periods (Periods 1-3). SSI was defined according to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) classification. SSI surveillance was carried out in accordance with the methodology established by the VINCat programme.

Results: From 2008 to 2022, 36,387 CS were surveyed at 34 hospitals: 13,502 in Period 1, 12,985 in Period 2 and 9900 in Period 3. The mean age was 33 years. Overall, SSI incidence fell from 3.81% in Period 1 to 2.66% in Period 3 (rho=-0.838; p<0.001). Superficial SSI decreased from 3.1% in Period 1 to 2.15% in Period 3 (rho=-0.795; p<0.001). The rate of organ-space SSI remained consistent across all three periods, maintaining a rate of 0.27 (rho=-0.092; p=0.745). Culture was performed in 58.9% of infections. The microorganisms most frequently identified were Staphylococcus aureus (20.64%), Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) (13.52%), and Escherichia coli (11.27%). Antibiotic prophylaxis was appropriate in 73.76% of the procedures.

Conclusions: Appropriate monitoring of post-CS SSI rates allows the implementation of preventive measures to reduce their incidence.

Keywords: Caesarean section; Incisional surgical infection; Infecciones de localización quirúrgica, Cesárea; Infecciones de órgano-espacio; Infección quirúrgica incisional; Organ/space infections; Surgical site infections.