Pacemaker pocket infection due to environmental mycobacteria: Successful management of an outbreak and steps for prevention in future.

Background: An outbreak of surgical site infection (SSI) due to environmental mycobacteria (EMB) occurred in a hospital in Eastern India.

Method: A quality improvement project (QIP) was undertaken to analyze the causes and prevent further outbreak. Step (1) Proof of the need: Four patients who had undergone pacemaker implantation consecutively during a 10-day period developed SSI.

Redo surgery after permanent pacemaker implantation: performance indicator of surgical techniques and pacing technology.

Background: The incidence of permanent pacemaker-related complications is reducing due to advancement of technology and increasing operator experience. There are only few series from India reporting the annual complication rates from a single center over the years. This is a series of 782 pacemakers implanted over 20 years in a secondary healthcare set-up.