Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40989658›Full record

ArticleAntimicrobial stewardship & healthcare epidemiology : ASHE2025

"Why must I get an infection, especially after surgery?" opportunities for patient engagement in infection care.

Oluchi Nneka Mbamalu, Estelle van Tonder, Ebruphiyo Ruth Useh, Bongeka Mfeketo, Okuhle Pretty Mbengo, Adam Boutall, Timothy Pennel, Lebohang Moloi, Salome Maswime, Esmita Charani and 1 more

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Antimicrobial stewardship & healthcare epidemiology : ASHE, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Oluchi Nneka MbamaluDivision of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, Department of Medicine, Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9121-0465
Estelle van TonderMedical School, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
Ebruphiyo Ruth UsehInstitute for Life Course Health Research, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7956-2898
Bongeka MfeketoSynergy Biomed Research Institute, East London, South Africa.
Okuhle Pretty MbengoAFDA Film School, Cape Town, South Africa.
Adam BoutallColorectal Unit, Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6413-5890
Timothy PennelChris Barnard Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0218-3798
Lebohang MoloiAcute Care Surgery Division, Department of Surgery, Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2247-7358
Salome MaswimeGlobal Surgery Division, Department of Surgery, Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4013-5164
Esmita CharaniDivision of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, Department of Medicine, Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5938-1202
Marc MendelsonDivision of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, Department of Medicine, Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6668-3893

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Objective: We explored the awareness, perspectives, and experiences of patients and healthcare providers (HCPs) regarding opportunities for surgical patients to engage in infection care. Design: Qualitative research design. Setting: Tertiary academic hospital, Cape Town, South Africa. Participants: 79 patients and 22 carers were observed during interactions with HCPs, and interviews were conducted with 19 patients, 3 carers, and 8 HCPs. Methods: Data were collected through nonparticipant observations of surgical wound care and patient consultations, and in-depth semi-structured interviews using data collection guides. Data were coded inductively, aided by NVivo software (version 14) and themes identified. Findings: Three main themes emerged from the data: patient's healthcare knowledge following surgery, patients' experiences of surgical site infection, and patients' experiences as users of the healthcare system. Care discussions were largely driven by the doctor, and focused on the patient's condition, associated diagnostic tests and medicines, and wound care. Patients' contributions were mostly passive, as recipients of information and respondents to doctors' questions. Most patients expected HCPs to initiate engagement and were unaware of healthcare-associated infections before developing one. Conclusions: Our data highlight a need to strengthen postdischarge wound care. The presentation and delivery of information in patient-facing and relatable formats can improve patient and carer understanding of surgical infection risks and care, and help support and advance patients' roles as co-stakeholders in infection care for improved health outcomes.

Identifiers

PMID40989658
PMCPMC12451813

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.