The risk of prescribing antibiotics “just-in-case” there is infection

The habit of prescribing antibiotics “just-in-case” there is infection is based on the misguided perception that antibiotics are “safe” drugs and therefore pose little risk to patients. Surgeons need to dispel this myth. One in five patients experience an antibiotic adverse drug event. The risk of overprescribing antibiotics far outweighs the perceived benefit and contributes to antibiotic resistance that not only threatens the efficacy of prophylaxis it also threatens the practice of surgery. Every unnecessary antibiotic contributes to a scenario in which patients who need surgery can no longer be protected from infections by antibiotic prophylaxis. Surgeons need to be fully engaged in antibiotic stewardship.