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  Evaluation of Antimicrobial Prophylaxis in Spine Surgery within an Enhanced Recovery Program at a Large Community Teaching Hospital

  Sabrina DiPietro, Klea Noskey, Richard Zoltowski, Tania Saeed, and Sapna Shah

  Publication Date: 12-7-2022

  The risk of surgical site infections post spine surgery is 0% to 18%.1

  • American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Society guidelines recommend using an agent with activity against the most common surgical site pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus. 2,3

  • The preferred agent is cefazolin 2 grams intravenous (IV) (3 grams if patient weighs ≥120 kilograms [kg]) administered 30 minutes prior to skin incision and re-dosed every four hours intraoperatively.2,3

  • In the case of a cephalosporin allergy, clindamycin 900 milligrams (mg) IV or vancomycin 15 mg/kg IV are recommended alternatives.2,3

  • Due to lack of appropriate documentation of allergies in the electronic medical record (EMR), alternative antimicrobials are often prescribed.