The importance of nursing in antibiotic prophylaxis for surgery of open fractures

Abstract

Nursing staff play a fundamental role in the prophylactic treatment of open fractures in surgery, as these procedures, which involve bones and soft tissues, are considered traumatic emergencies due to their high complication rates, especially infections. The objective of this study was to interpret the importance of the nursing role in antibiotic prophylaxis in open fracture surgery, aiming to improve clinical practice through a literature review. The research follows a qualitative approach with a non-experimental, exploratory design; analytical-synthetic, inductive-deductive, and historical-logical methods were used, along with document analysis and a document analysis guide as an instrument. The search and selection of literature included inclusion and exclusion criteria, allowing the analysis of 20 relevant articles in databases such as SCIELO, PUBMED, ELSEVIER, Google Scholar, and academic repositories. The results indicate that open fractures require comprehensive management with antibiotics such as cefazolin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, vancomycin, gentamicin, levofloxacin, and penicillin G, whose administration must be adjusted based on the proper evaluation and classification of the trauma, considering the onset and duration of treatment. In conclusion, the intervention of nursing staff in antibiotic prophylaxis is crucial to reduce the risk of infection and improve prognosis, contributing to safe and effective treatment.