RFP Indian Journal of Hospital Infection

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) represent a significant global public health challenge, contributing substantially to morbidity, mortality and increased healthcare costs. Effective classification and grading systems are crucial for surveillance, risk stratification and guiding clinical management. The Southampton Wound Grading System offers a standardized approach to categorize postoperative wound complications. Methods: This prospective, observational, analytical study was conducted at a tertiary care teaching hospital in south-western India, involving 1000 consecutive patients undergoing elective surgery at the General surgery unit. Post-operative wound infections were identified and graded according to the Southampton Grading System. Data on SSI incidence and grade distribution were collected. Results: The overall incidence of post-operative wound infections was 12.5% (n=125). A majority of infections were detected on Post-operative Day 7 (52%, n=65), followed by Post-operative Day 3 (27.2%, n=34). According to the Southampton Grading System, Grade I infections were the most prevalent (36%, n=45), followed by Grade II (28%, n=35), Grade III (24%, n=30), Grade IV (9.6%, n=12), and Grade V (2.4%, n=3). Conclusions: The distribution across Southampton grades indicates a predominance of milder infections, yet a notable proportion of severe cases. The Southampton Grading System proved to be a practical and effective tool for categorizing and assessing the severity of SSIs, supporting its utility for clinical surveillance and quality improvement initiatives

Plastics accumulate in environment and pollute it. They pose many challenges for the environment. Bioplastics or bio-based plastics are a viable and suitable alternative to plastics. Bioplastics have emerged as sustainable alternatives to petroleum based plastics, offering reduced environmental impacts and biodegradability. However, their degradation efficiency in real-world conditions remains variable and influenced by microbial activity. Many microbial genera actively break down plastics by biofilm formation and thereafter liberation of enzymes like cutinase and esterase. This breakdown can be estimated by loss of weight and other parameters. Many factors control this biodegradation, like nutrients, temperature, pH and other factors. This review explores the current understanding of microbial degradation of bioplastics, focusing on the types of bioplastics, microbial enzymatic mechanisms, environmental factors, and the challenges involved. This is a very interesting topic encompassing medical science, biotechnology and other streams. We also highlight recent advances in biotechnology to enhance degradation and propose directions for future research.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) remain one of the most common healthcare associated infections (HAIs), accounting for significant morbidity, mortality, and increased healthcare costs. SSIs can complicate recovery, extend hospital stays, and demand intensive post-operative care. Preventing SSIs requires a multidisciplinary approach, with nurses playing a central role in surveillance, intervention, and patient education. This article reviews the etiology, risk factors, and prevention strategies for surgical site infections (SSIs), with a focus on the crucial role nurses play in minimizing their incidence.