Sepsis At The Surgical Site: Emerging Trends, Challenges, And Management

Background: Sepsis at the surgical site (SSIs leading to sepsis) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in surgical patients. Effective prevention and management strategies are critical for improving patient outcomes. This study also includes an analysis of patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to sepsis resulting from surgical site infections (SSIs), comparing their outcomes with non-ICU patients. This study aims to explore the emerging trends, challenges, and management practices related to surgical site sepsis. Objective: The primary objective of this study is to investigate the factors influencing the incidence and management of sepsis at surgical sites. Specifically, the study aims to identify the challenges healthcare professionals face in preventing and managing SSIs, evaluate the effectiveness of infection control measures, and assess the role of early intervention practices like the "Hour-1 Bundle." Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was adopted, with data collected through structured questionnaires administered to healthcare professionals, including surgeons, intensivists nurses, medical officers and infection control specialists. The sample consisted of 250 healthcare workers selected using stratified random sampling from both public and private healthcare settings. The survey included Likert-scale items to capture perceptions and experiences regarding sepsis management. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods, including normality tests, Cronbach’s alpha for reliability, Spearman’s rank correlation for relationships, and regression analysis for prediction. Results: The results indicated that sepsis at surgical sites continues to be a prevalent issue, with significant challenges in timely diagnosis and management. The study found strong correlations between the Application of the Hour-1 Bundle and the Effectiveness of Source Control, suggesting that early intervention improves outcomes. However, Delayed Diagnosis Factors were negatively correlated with the ability to manage sepsis effectively, highlighting the importance of early recognition. Conclusions: The study concludes that addressing delayed diagnosis, improving antibiotic stewardship, and enhancing infection control measures are essential for effective sepsis management at surgical sites. Furthermore, revising the survey instrument to improve reliability will be crucial for future research in this area.