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Aims and objectives: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are one of the most important causes of health care-associated infections. Understanding SSI reduces the social and economic burden of a hospital and society. In this context, we evaluated the various aspects of SSI in our institution, Rohilkhand Medical College & Hospital (RMCH), which is a tertiary care teaching hospital in rural Uttar Pradesh in North India. Materials and methods:This prospective study was conducted in the Department of General Surgery, RMCH, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India. A total number of 1,498 patients admitted for surgical procedures with effect from November 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016, formed the subjects of the present study. All operated cases during the above period, including major and minor, emergency and elective, laparoscopic and open procedures were included in the present study. Data so obtained were analyzed statistically. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA criteria were used for defining the wound. Sample swabs were collected from the first dressing and up to 2 to 4 weeks postoperatively. Samples were processed for aerobic and anaerobic flora, and the antibiotic sensitivity of the isolates was also performed. Results and discussion:The SSI rate in the present study was 8.67%. Significantly higher incidence of SSI was detected with increasing age. The SSI rate in case of emergency surgeries was more (27.7%) as compared with routine/elective surgeries (6.3%). The higher incidence (18.75%) of SSI was detected in patients having preoperative hospital stay of more than 7 days, and the maximum incidence (15.7%) was observed in patients having longer postoperative hospital stay of more than 10 days. Dirty wounds had the highest incidence of SSI (53.45%). The incidence of SSI increased with duration of surgery, order of surgery, and with the increasing duration of postoperative drains. Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest isolate (32.30%) followed by Escherichia coli (39%). Conclusion:Though the incidence of SSI in the present study was slightly low as compared with similar reports from other institutions of the country, more rational antibiotic policy and more stringent infection control measures are needed.

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