The tables below show the percentage of patients who received prophylactic antibiotics at the appropriate time before surgery. These data are based on the same numbers of procedures as the previous tables. Improvements have been observed.

In the early years documentation was incomplete (for example, inadequately recorded time at which perioperative antibiotics were administered). While this is still a problem at some hospitals, both documentation of times and the appropriateness of the timing have shown improvements.

Achieving correct timing and documentation of antibiotic administration can be challenging and often involves coordination between surgeons and anaesthetists. It can be even more difficult for emergency and unplanned surgeries.

Correct timing is known to be an important aspect of antibiotic prophylaxis and contributes to the effectiveness of the antibiotic in reducing the risk of a surgical site infection. While documentation and timing have improved, there is still room for improvement generally across Victorian public hospitals with respect to correct timing of administration of antibiotics.

Percentage compliance with timing of administration of antibiotics, Type 1 hospitals

- Not applicable

Percentage compliance with timing of administration of antibiotics, Type 2 hospitals

- Not applicable