Delay in Antibiotics for Open Fracture May Increase Infection Risk

A 2-hour threshold was most strongly associated with risk for infection in this single-center retrospective study.

To test the association between delays in antibiotic administration and surgical site infection (SSI) in patients with open fractures, researchers reviewed charts for consecutive patients who presented to a single emergency department from 2013 to 2017 with open extremity fractures and underwent orthopedic surgery. Exclusions were presentation >24 hours after injury, surgical intervention >24 hours after presentation, antibiotic timing or administration not documented, and duration of follow-up <30 days.

Of 450 patients with open fractures, 230 met inclusion criteria. The median time to intravenous antibiotic administration was 62 minutes. Within 90 days, 23 patients (10%) developed SSIs (14 deep, 9 superficial). Median time to antibiotics w…

Reviewing Author

Benton R. Hunter, MD

Disclosures

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesSociety for Academic Emergency Medicine (Chair, Evidence Based Healthcare Interest Group)

Benton R. Hunter, MD

Disclosures

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesSociety for Academic Emergency Medicine (Chair, Evidence Based Healthcare Interest Group)

Delay in Antibiotics for Open Fracture May Increase Infection Risk

Topics

Reviewing Author