MICROBIAL SPECTRUM AND PROFILE OF SURGICAL SITE INFECTION CASES IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN NORTHERN INDIA

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) remain a major cause of hospital- acquired infections, causing morbidity andmortality worldwide. In developing countries, 5.6% of surgical procedures will develop SSIs. Associated risk factors alsoplay a role in contribution of SSIs. To investigate the risk factors for SSIs together with the identification of the etiologicalbacterial agents with distribution of cases Intensive care unit (ICU) wise. Materials and Methods: A retrospectiveobservational study for past two years was carried out on 2809 patients who underwent surgery in a single tertiary carecentre in Northern India. Only the surgeries falling under clean and clean-contaminated categories were included in thestudy. SSIs was determined by the CDC NHSN definition and only superficial SSI were taken. Microbial spectrum wasanalyzed and resistant pattern was determined by Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. This study was carried out from 1stJanuary 2024 to 31st December 2025, in which 2809 surgeries performed shows 139 superficial SSIs cases. Results: Ourstudy shows out of 2809 surgeries performed in last two years, 139 were confirmed as clean and clean contaminatedsuperficial SSI cases. Escherichia coli was maximum with 57 isolates showing its growth followed by Psuedomonasaeruginosa. Orthopedic ICU shows the maximum isolation of cases followed by surgical ICU. Overall gram negativebacterial infection was more common than gram positive bacteria. Males were commonly affected than females.Conclusion: The high SSIs rates in different ICUs underscore the need for improved and robust establishment ofantimicrobial stewardship and surveillance. Strict infection control practices should be implemented to ensure bettertherapeutic strategy and outcome of patients.