False Penicillin Allergy Increases Risk of Surgical Site Infection (SSI)

Prophylaxis refers to the prevention of an infection. Antibiotic selection is influenced by the organism most commonly causing wound infection in the specific procedure and by the relative costs of available agents. Penicillin is one such antibiotic commonly used antibiotic. When patients report allergy to penicillin, less effective antibiotic is used. This puts the patient at an increased risk of surgical site infections (SSIs).