122 Tetanus Prophylaxis for Injuries Referred to a Plastic Surgery Service
Author
Stark, D.
Nagrath, N.
Date
2022-02-28Journal
British Journal of SurgeryType
Conference paperPublisher
WileyDOI
10.1093/bjs/znac039.067Rights
© 2022, Oxford University PressMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
To ascertain whether there is appropriate documentation of tetanus immunisation status. To determine whether appropriate tetanus prophylaxis is offered to those with an incomplete or unknown immunisation history for tetanus prone and high-risk tetanus prone wounds. To improve adherence to the green book of immunisation tetanus guidance.We performed an audit of wounds referred to plastic surgery in a 3-week period to ascertain whether the green book guidance was satisfied. A poster intervention for junior colleagues that illustrated the guidance was implemented. Re-audit was performed.Tetanus immunisation status was documented in 17 (34%) patients. Of 22 with tetanus prone wounds, 11 (50%) had an incomplete tetanus immunisation, but only 3 (27%) received a booster vaccine. Of the 11 high risk tetanus prone wounds, 10 (91%) had an incomplete tetanus immunisation status, but only 5 (50%) received a booster vaccine and none were offered tetanus immunoglobulins.Following intervention, tetanus immunisation status was documented in 23 (46%) patients. In the re-audit, 12 (24%) sustained a tetanus prone injury and 4 (33%) of these had complete immunisation. Of the remaining 8, 7 (88%) received a booster vaccine and 1 patient refused. Of the 4 high risk tetanus prone wounds, 3 (75%) had an incomplete tetanus immunisation status, all of whom received a booster vaccine and 1 (25%) was offered tetanus immunoglobulins.We observed greater engagement with the tetanus immunisation guidance and improvement in the assessment and management of tetanus prone injuries.