Aims & objectives: To study the prevalence of SSIs, bacteriological profile along with the antibiotic resistance pattern and analyze the risk factors in a tertiary care hospital.

Materials & methods: All the patients undergoing general surgery, orthopedic surgery, cardiothoracic surgery and obstetric & gynecological surgery for a period of six months were prospectively followed after surgery. Samples and appropriate history were collected from patients with symptoms of SSI. The swabs were cultured and the bacterial colonies were identified and antimicrobial susceptibility tests were done. Risk factors were analysed.

Results: The overall prevalence of SSIs was found to be 4.62% with highest incidence following general surgeries 10.34%. The commonest organism isolated was Enterococcus species followed by Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas species, etc. Most of the isolates were multidrug resistant. Contaminated wounds, high ASA score (American Society of Anaesthesiologists), prolonged surgeries and emergency surgeries were more prone for infection.

Conclusion: Surgical site infection is an important nosocomial infection which can be adequately controlled by adopting good infection control practices and risk factor analysis.