General Principles of Prescribing Antibiotics for Surgical Prophylaxis

1. Timing. Antibiotics should be administered, or infusion completed within 60 minutes before the procedure or skin incision.
2. Document doses in the “once only” section of the paper drug administration chart (the kardex) or as STAT orders on HEPMA.
3. A single dose of antibiotic is recommended. Exceptions are outlined in individual protocols.
4. No dose adjustment in renal or hepatic impairment is required unless indicated.
5. Repeat dosing may be required if the operation is prolonged (see table below for re-dosing guidance for individual antibiotics):
   • The repeat dose is given at the recommended interval from the time the initial dose was administered.
   • Intra-operative blood loss >1.5L. Re-dose following fluid replacement/blood transfusion.
6. MRSA – See intranet for MRSA infection control policy on decolonisation prior to surgery.