Centralized Surgical Unit, Bacterial Density, Wound Infections

Abstract

In an expanding hospital the frequency of wound infections has been investigated partly in a smaller, oldfashioned unit of general surgery, partly in a larger unit provided with overpressurized ventilation and a two-corridor system. During seven years of observation the frequency of wound infections in operated patients has been relatively constant at a level below 2.7 per cent. The number of bacteria has been measured in operation theatres and surrounding localities in the unit. The incidence of pathogenic microorganisms was low. The frequency of staphylococcus aureus infected wounds has declined by about 50 per cent in the new as compared to the old unit. The importance of the staff's activity and of the composition of the patients has been analyzed. Our investigation indicates that the behaviour of the staff is of decisive significance for the prevention of wound infections.