Cultural differences in attitudes towards surgical site infections among French anesthetists and surgeons in digestive surgery in 2022
Abstract Background Although it generates a significant burden, little attention has been paid to preventing Surgical Site Infection (SSI) in digestive surgery. Objective This study explored the factors underpinning anesthetists’ and surgeons’ attitudes toward SSI prevention in digestive surgery, fo...
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BMC
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13756-025-01576-9 |
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| author | Antoine Deslandes Niki Christou Patrice Baillet Joseph Hajjar Philippe Marre Hubert Johanet Marc Leone Gabriel Birgand |
| author_facet | Antoine Deslandes Niki Christou Patrice Baillet Joseph Hajjar Philippe Marre Hubert Johanet Marc Leone Gabriel Birgand |
| author_sort | Antoine Deslandes |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Although it generates a significant burden, little attention has been paid to preventing Surgical Site Infection (SSI) in digestive surgery. Objective This study explored the factors underpinning anesthetists’ and surgeons’ attitudes toward SSI prevention in digestive surgery, focusing on their perceptions of SSI, preventive measures, guidelines, and cooperation across both specialties. Methods Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 surgeons and 19 anesthetists working in digestive surgery. Participants were approached through established mailing lists and snowball sampling. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were coded and analyzed thematically using a constant comparative approach. Results SSI in digestive surgery was perceived as an inevitable consequence and ranked down in the priorities of surgeons. A paradox existed between the low consideration of superficial infections that are easily manageable through antibiotics and the strong awareness of the antibiotic resistance threat. Global trust appeared regarding the guidelines, but a knowledge gap of the guidelines was observed among surgeons in comparison with anesthetists. SSI ownership was perceived as collective, but the responsibility belonged to the surgeon alone. Surgeons focused on actions and short-term tasks within a culture of individualism, whereas anesthetists worked collectively with systemic approaches. Overall, the cooperation between both specialties was positive, but tightly reliant on teamwork, workload, and organization in the operating theatre. Conclusions The cultural differences between surgeons and anesthetists should be recognized as a key overarching factor in defining their respective roles in the prevention of SSI and in establishing accountability in digestive surgery — including aspects such as adherence to guidelines, and the implementation of preventive measures. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c663f74921a049b3a5648cedbfb202fa |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2047-2994 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control |
| spelling | doaj-art-c663f74921a049b3a5648cedbfb202fa2025-08-20T03:22:03ZengBMCAntimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control2047-29942025-05-0114111010.1186/s13756-025-01576-9Cultural differences in attitudes towards surgical site infections among French anesthetists and surgeons in digestive surgery in 2022Antoine Deslandes0Niki Christou1Patrice Baillet2Joseph Hajjar3Philippe Marre4Hubert Johanet5Marc Leone6Gabriel Birgand7Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control (CPias), Region of Pays de la Loire, Nantes University HospitalAcadémie Nationale de ChirurgieAcadémie Nationale de ChirurgieAcadémie Nationale de ChirurgieAcadémie Nationale de ChirurgieAcadémie Nationale de ChirurgieSociété Française d’Anesthésie Réanimation (SFAR)Regional Center for Infection Prevention and Control (CPias), Region of Pays de la Loire, Nantes University HospitalAbstract Background Although it generates a significant burden, little attention has been paid to preventing Surgical Site Infection (SSI) in digestive surgery. Objective This study explored the factors underpinning anesthetists’ and surgeons’ attitudes toward SSI prevention in digestive surgery, focusing on their perceptions of SSI, preventive measures, guidelines, and cooperation across both specialties. Methods Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 surgeons and 19 anesthetists working in digestive surgery. Participants were approached through established mailing lists and snowball sampling. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were coded and analyzed thematically using a constant comparative approach. Results SSI in digestive surgery was perceived as an inevitable consequence and ranked down in the priorities of surgeons. A paradox existed between the low consideration of superficial infections that are easily manageable through antibiotics and the strong awareness of the antibiotic resistance threat. Global trust appeared regarding the guidelines, but a knowledge gap of the guidelines was observed among surgeons in comparison with anesthetists. SSI ownership was perceived as collective, but the responsibility belonged to the surgeon alone. Surgeons focused on actions and short-term tasks within a culture of individualism, whereas anesthetists worked collectively with systemic approaches. Overall, the cooperation between both specialties was positive, but tightly reliant on teamwork, workload, and organization in the operating theatre. Conclusions The cultural differences between surgeons and anesthetists should be recognized as a key overarching factor in defining their respective roles in the prevention of SSI and in establishing accountability in digestive surgery — including aspects such as adherence to guidelines, and the implementation of preventive measures.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13756-025-01576-9Antimicrobial resistanceQuality and safetySurgeryDigestive surgerySurgical site infectionInfection prevention and control |
| spellingShingle | Antoine Deslandes Niki Christou Patrice Baillet Joseph Hajjar Philippe Marre Hubert Johanet Marc Leone Gabriel Birgand Cultural differences in attitudes towards surgical site infections among French anesthetists and surgeons in digestive surgery in 2022 Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control Antimicrobial resistance Quality and safety Surgery Digestive surgery Surgical site infection Infection prevention and control |
| title | Cultural differences in attitudes towards surgical site infections among French anesthetists and surgeons in digestive surgery in 2022 |
| title_full | Cultural differences in attitudes towards surgical site infections among French anesthetists and surgeons in digestive surgery in 2022 |
| title_fullStr | Cultural differences in attitudes towards surgical site infections among French anesthetists and surgeons in digestive surgery in 2022 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cultural differences in attitudes towards surgical site infections among French anesthetists and surgeons in digestive surgery in 2022 |
| title_short | Cultural differences in attitudes towards surgical site infections among French anesthetists and surgeons in digestive surgery in 2022 |
| title_sort | cultural differences in attitudes towards surgical site infections among french anesthetists and surgeons in digestive surgery in 2022 |
| topic | Antimicrobial resistance Quality and safety Surgery Digestive surgery Surgical site infection Infection prevention and control |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13756-025-01576-9 |
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