ANTIBIOTICS, VTE PROPHYLAXIS AND CONSENT IN SPINAL SURGERY: HOW DO WE COMPARE with THE US?

Introduction Guidelines from the North American Spine Society (2009 and 2013) are the best evidence-based instructions on venous thromboembolism (VTE) and antibiotic prophylaxis in spinal surgery. NICE guidelines exist for VTE prophylaxis but do not specifically address spinal surgery. In addition, the ruling of the UK Supreme Court in 2015 resulted in new guidance on consent being published by the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCSEng). This study assesses our compliance in antibiotic, VTE prophylaxis and consent in spinal surgery against both US and UK standards. Methods Retrospective review of spinal operations performed between August and December 2016. Case notes, consent forms and operation notes were analysed for consent, peri-operative antibiotic prescribing and post-operative VTE instructions. Results Four Spinal surgeons performed 45 operations during this period. 31 patients (69%) received a copy of the signed consent with this process being formally documented in 22 (71%) of those cases...