Appropriateness of surgical antibiotic prophylaxis in Spanish hospitals: a national multicentre cross-sectional study

Summary: Background: While surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) is a cornerstone of preventing surgical site infections, adherence to clinical guidelines determines its effectiveness. In Spain, nationwide data on SAP appropriateness are scarce. This study evaluated prescribing practices across Spanish hospitals to assess alignment with national standards and identify factors associated with inappropriate antibiotic use.